Newtown Bee Debate Webcasts Continuing Thursday, September 29 The Newtown Bee is co-presenting a series of political debate webcasts with Connecticut Public that will continue Thursday, September 29.As part of our continuing partnership with Connecticut Public, and in recognition of the Connecticut League of Women Voters and its efforts to promote civic-mindedness, The Newtown Bee is proudly co-presenting a series of political debate webcasts presented by these two organizations.The series continues Thursday, September 29, and is scheduled to conclude on October 27.All readers and visitors need to do is visit newtownbee.com at the designated time, locate the latest debate reminder at the top of the website home page, and click on the headline. Once the article page opens, just click on the arrow in the middle of the video screen below and tune in.All remaining debates and corresponding webcasts are set for select Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm.Each debate will feature a live audience and will be broadcast and streamed on Connecticut Public platforms, including CPTV, ctpublic.org, YouTube and Facebook Live, as well as the LWVCT website and YouTube channel.The debates will also be simulcast on Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR 90.5, WEDW and WVOF 88.5, WPKT 89.1 and streaming at ctpublic.org). Each debate will be moderated by Connecticut Public journalists. The debate series will also be produced as podcasts, accessible via the App Store, Google Play and other common podcast platforms.For anyone interested in watching via webcast, or attending in-person, the dates, locations and moderators for the remaining series of debates are scheduled as follows:Thursday, September 29, 8 pm – 2nd Congressional District (Eastern Connecticut State University, Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall, Willimantic, CT), moderated by Catherine ShenTuesday, October 11, 8 pm – 1st Congressional District (Manchester Community College, SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium, Manchester, CT), moderated by Ray HardmanThursday, October 13, 8 pm – 4th Congressional District (Norwalk Community College, David Levinson Theater, Norwalk, CT), moderated by Dr. Khalilah Brown-DeanThursday, October 20, 8 pm – 5th Congressional District (Central Connecticut State University, Torp Theatre, New Britain, CT), moderated by Frankie GrazianoTuesday, October 25, 8 pm – United States Senate (Fairfield University, Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield, CT), moderated by John Henry SmithThe final Connecticut Public debate was scheduled for Thursday, October 27, at 8 pm between Governor Ned Lamont and GOP challenger Bob Stefanowski. That event was set to happen at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, and be moderated by Lucy Nalpathanchil.However, on September 16, the reelection campaign for Lamont announced it will participate in two debates and four candidate forums ahead of the November 8 election. The first of those debates aired September 27.The second, according to the Lamont campaign, will be co-hosted by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and WTNH on Tuesday, November 1, at the CCM Annual Meeting at Mohegan Sun Casino."These are the only debates in which Governor Lamont will be participating," the release stated. Upon seeking clarification, a representative of CTPublic told The Newtown Bee, "we are still working on it."The location of the congressional debates at colleges and universities in the districts was designed with the goal of including as many students and young people as possible in the debate process.To learn more about the League of Women Voters of Connecticut, visit www.lwvct.org.WEB ONLY - Newtown Bee Debate Webcasts Continuing September 29 John Voket
Story Newtown Bee Debate Webcasts Continuing Thursday, September 29MUST - Statewide Candidate Debate Series Is Off And RunningFeatured Slider, NewsNone
Newtown Nonprofit Council Announces ‘Fun Things Coming Up’
C.H. Booth Library’s Newtown Nonprofit Council (NNC) held its virtual monthly meeting Tuesday, September 20 to discuss news and upcoming events from local organizations.C.H. Booth Library’s Newtown Nonprofit Council (NNC) held its virtual monthly meeting Tuesday, September 20 to discuss news and upcoming events from local organizations.The conference was led by Reference Librarian Lily MacHugh, who transitioned as the council’s new moderator earlier this summer.Newtown resident Katherine Simpson kicked off the conversation by bringing up a recurring issue she has faced with volunteers trying to use Get Connected, Newtown! — the council’s volunteer hub.She is finding that people want to sign up for events without having to make an account on the website.“We want their volunteer help,” Simpson said.MacHugh said she would look into an alternative option for those who do not want to register on the site but that still want to volunteer. She would also investigate how to get the nonprofits access to e-mail blasting their supporters, called “fans” on the website.MacHugh went on to report that when looking at upcoming events listed on the Get Connected site, “September is very light” with only one event.She updated the group about how the number of people using the site has been having “quite a bit” of a downward trajectory since April 2022. It is now in the single digits for volunteer sign-ups.Nonprofit NewsNewtown resident John Boccuzzi, Sr, represented the nonprofit group Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) during the meeting. He shared that its chore service program has been “very busy.”FONS is also helping with two requests to have medical transportation paid for and the group hopes to help others.“We know the need is out there,” Boccuzzi said.Meanwhile, the organization is continuing to push for a fixed bus route in Newtown, affordable housing at Fairfield Hills Campus, and is having ongoing discussions with Nuvance Health about bringing equitable health care to the region.He then told the council, “We have some fun things coming up.”Two events in particular he highlighted were the social gathering at Prime Pub on September 28, and Oktoberfest at NewSylum Brewing Company October 5. For the latter there will be an accordion player performing live.Simpson represented Newtown Congregational Church and shared that they will be having their annual Mississippi BBQ & Shrimp Boil on October 22. There will be indoor dining and take-out options.“Last year we sold out,” she said.Simpson also spoke on behalf of Newtown Lions Club and mentioned that the organization will have a table at the Health Fair at Newtown Community Center on September 24.“We will be doing free eye screenings,” she said.On Veterans Day, the Newtown Lions Club will have its Fourth Annual Free Dental Clinic, and on October 22 it will have its Mustang Drawing event in front of Edmond Town Hall.EverWonder Children’s Museum representative Niki Giordano was the last one to share news about their organization during the NNC meeting. She explained that EverWonder has been very busy during the summer and will be closed next week, September 25 to October 1, to clean and paint the space.Next month, on October 29, they will have their annual Spooktacular event with three time slots, then a “BooBash” event that evening.Before the meeting ended, Simpson asked Giordano what EverWonder’s “secret” was to having so much success with volunteer sign-ups through the Get Connected website.Giordano answered that they do not use any other way for people to sign up to volunteer, and they have established a connection with Newtown High School to have students informed about volunteer opportunities with EverWonder.NNC now meets virtually on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 am.People with questions or interest in joining the upcoming NNC meetings can contact MacHugh at lmachugh@chboothlibrary.org.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.Newtown Nonprofit Council meeting September 20 Alissa Silber
Story Newtown Nonprofit Council Announces ‘Fun Things Coming Up’Newtown Nonprofit Council meeting_2Featured Slider, NewsNone
P&Z Approves Self-Storage Facility Special Exception
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) discussed and then approved an application for a Commerce Road self-storage facility during its September 15 meeting.Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) discussed and then approved an application for a Commerce Road self-storage facility during its September 15 meeting.P&Z members present were chair Dennis Bloom, vice chair Roy Meadows, Kersti Ferguson, Brian Leonardi, Gregory Rich, David Rosen, and Connie Widmann, as well as Land Use Agency Deputy Director of Planning Rob Sibley.Application 22.22 by 19 Commerce Road, LLC, requested a special exception to the zoning regulations. The property is at 19 Commerce Road.The applicant sought a permit for the construction of a self-storage facility and associated paved parking areas and drives, aboveground stormwater management areas, belowground infiltration facilities, and other miscellaneous site improvements.The application moved to P&Z after being approved by Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission in July.Jason Edwards, owner of J. Edwards & Associates LLC, represents the applicant.“This is a vacant lot now. It’s got some containers and some vehicles that park there, but essentially, it’s empty,” Edwards said. “Behind it is a larger vacant lot that is totally undeveloped and was recently acquired by the owner.”He noted that there is a wetland pocket that crosses between the two properties.“What’s proposed is five self-storage facilities over [the] 5½-acre site,” Edwards said.There will be an office building and storage units which will be accessed through a gated driveway.“It’s a two-story building, but it’s set down on one side, so it appears to be a one-story building from the left side,” Edwards said.The other side of the facility has a separate driveway, that is also gated, for access to the three additional buildings.“All of the units are accessed internally, I believe, except for this one smaller building, which has exterior access,” Edwards said.The property has public water and sewer, as well as two independent drainage systems.The applicants have provided a landscape plan, Edwards also noted.“One area in particular that we wanted to provide some screening was the north end of the site,” next to the I-84 on-ramp for Exit 10, Edwards said.Bloom said he had walked the property, and there is “a pretty deep gully” by the proposed second driveway, that would likely need quite a bit of site work.“There is going to be some grading to get up to the top of the hill, but it all meets your driveway codes and regulations,” Edwards said.Bloom also made sure to confirm it is not going to be a 24/7 operation when opened. Edwards said it will run 7 am to 9 pm.Meadows asked Edwards to talk more about the administration side of the facility and if someone will be there during hours of operation.Edwards said there is going to be “one central office” at building one.Applicant Robert Manna, of 23 Commerce Road, answered, “I think initially, until we get it rented out, there will be staff there to help facilitate the renting of the units. But a lot of these self-storage units, the way that they have evolved, most everything is done now by computer or phone.“There is an app you can go on and actually rent a unit and get a gate code and location of the unit. Then you can go there, put your stuff in, and secure it with a lock,” he added.Meadows asked if anyone would be living on the premises, since some storage facilities have that element. He was told there would not be.Edwards also shared with the commission that about 45% of the site will be developed.Sibley asked, “Is this going to be a phased project?”Edwards answered that as far as sequence goes, they would do building one and two at the same time if finances permit.Sibley inquired, “Are these going to be heated?” to which Edwards replied that they are “climate controlled.”With no public participation, the commission then voted to close the public hearing.P&Z took a vote to approve Application 22.22, and it was unanimously approved. The approval will become effective October 8.The next regularly scheduled P&Z meeting is set to take place on Thursday, October 6, at 7 pm, in the Newtown Municipal Council Chambers.To learn more about the P&Z, visit newtown-ct.gov/planning-zoning-commission.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.P&Z September 15 Meeting Alissa Silber
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Wetlands Commission Approves Mt Pleasant Road Apartment Proposal
Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) started off its September 14 meeting at Newtown Municipal Center by deliberating on an apartment complex development proposed for Mt Pleasant Road in Hawleyville.Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) started off its September 14 meeting at Newtown Municipal Center by deliberating on an apartment complex development proposed for Mt Pleasant Road in Hawleyville.IWC members present were chair Sharon Salling, vice chair Craig Ferris, Mike McCabe, Suzanne Guidera, Scott Jackson, and Kendall Horch, as well as the town’s Senior Land Use Enforcement Officer Steve Maguire and Land Use Enforcement Officer Kiana Maisonet.The proposal being discussed was IW Application #22-14 by Farrell Building Company. It is for a property located at 90 Mt Pleasant Road, to construct 11 Garden Apartment buildings, one clubhouse, and associated site improvements including driveways, parking, and stormwater management.During the IWC’s previous meeting, on August 24, the commission heard updates to the application from Newtown Attorney Robert Hall, who represented the applicant. The commission later heard from approved intervenor Patrick Napolitano about his opposition to the application.At the previous meeting Newtown resident Mark D’Amico also voiced his concerns about the application, but the commission denied his intervenor status. IWC then closed the public hearing portion on August 24.On September 14, Salling noted that while she was not present at the last meeting, she did listen to its recording to be up-to-date on the application.Salling explained, “What we are going to do this evening is to see if the commission has any further questions or if the applicant has any additional information that they would like to present before we decide to deliberate further or take a vote.”There was no additional information to be presented from the applicant.McCabe said, “In general, my take on it is that the application meets what we are looking for in terms of following the wetland regulations that we have here, and I would be in favor of approving it based upon what has been presented to us.”He added, “I do want to note, that said, I did think there were some good points brought up by members of the public who spoke. I don’t want to dismiss those. I think there were a lot of valid points.”Specifically, McCabe cited the comments about future stormwater management of the site. He would like to have a maintenance plan included and followed going forward if they approve the application.Maguire said they could require an annual report on the maintenance routine during the five-year permit.Salling said it would be a “great idea” to require that.It was noted that the public can always contact the town about this project, or any other, and report a violation when they see it occurring.The commission motioned to approve Application IW #22-14 with standard conditions A, B, C, D, E, F, L, and P.According to the meeting minutes, the following additional conditions included were: “An annual report on Stormwater Maintenance and Functionality shall be submitted to the Land Use Agency on every December 1st for the duration of the permit,” and “An Invasive Species Management and Removal plan shall be submitted to the Land Use Agency for approval. Maintenance and monitoring by the applicant shall be in place for the duration of the permit.”All were in favor while Jackson and Horch abstained.The next IWC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, at 7:30 pm in the Newtown Municipal Center, Council Chambers, 3 Primrose Street.It will continue the public hearings for IW Application #22-20 by Ardian Llomi, for property located at 56 Pole Bridge Road, to expand the existing pond for irrigation purposes; and IW Application #22-21 by 24 Pecks Lane LLC, for property located at 24 Pecks Lane, to construct a 6,000 square foot commercial building and associated site improvements.For more information, visit newtown-ct.gov/inland-wetlands-commission.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.IWC September 14 Meeting Alissa Silber
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BOS Begins Review Of Five Year Capital Improvement Plan
The time of the year has come for the town to consider its long term plans for capital projects.The Board of Selectmen opened its annual process of reviewing the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the next five years during its September 19 meeting.This was a first chance for the BOS to review the plan. No vote was taken to approve. The BOS needs to get the plan to the Board of Finance by its first meeting in October.First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said the plan is meant to be organic and changes over time. The plan under review now goes from fiscal year 2023-24 to fiscal year 2027-28. The main focuses in the plan are the “year one” items, in this case the 2023-24 fiscal year, as the borrowing for those items will be included as part of the next budget year.“Year one items are almost upon us and are as real as it gets,” said the first selectman.Rosenthal expressed concerns at rising costs from inflation and rising interest rates. While the town’s “perfect” AAA bond rating combined with some amount of luck in picking a day to go out to bonding resulted in a 2.25% interest rate for the 2022-23 fiscal year bonding, Rosenthal said that a nearby town with only a slightly worse bond rating got 3.25% interest on a recent bond. Rosenthal estimated that the town might get a 3.25% interest rate next time it goes out to bonding. Finance Director Robert Tait in the CIP planning, planned for a 3.5% interest rate in year one, and 4% in year three, the next year the town will be bonding.“We’re not whistling past the graveyard here,” said Rosenthal, who also noted that if interest rates go up too much, or costs increase too much, the town could adjust the plan and wait on some projects to keep costs within budget. “There is lots of volatility in the market now and rates have gone high.”The plan is a “forecast of the town’s needs,” according to Rosenthal, and having such a plan is part of the reason why the town’s bond rating is so high.“We’re still looking good in keeping growth in our debt down,” said Rosenthal.The plan includes the following projects each year:In year one, the town will be bonding $600,000 for the bridge replacement program, $200,000 for an HVAC/electrical project at the multi-purpose building, $1.5 million for a roof replacement at the municipal center, $800,000 for an HVAC project at C.H. Booth Library, and $600,000 of the total $1,085,000 cost for replacement of fire apparatus.The remainder of the fire apparatus cost will be from the Capital Non-Recurring Fund. Additionally, the town is planning $3.05 million in new spending from the General Fund on roads, and $200,000 for grant match from other sources, which will not be bonded. The total planned new bonding for the year is $3.7 million.In year two, the town will be observing its plan to not do any new bonding every fifth year. While there are no new bonded projects for this year, the town plan still includes $3.1 million in new spending from the General Fund on roads, and $200,000 from other sources for grant matching.In year three, the town will be bonding $600,000 for the bridge replacement program, $825,000 for replacement of fire apparatus, $2 million for building remediation and demo on the Fairfield Hills campus, $530,000 for Edmond Town Hall building renovations, $600,000 for a parking lot at C.H. Booth Library, and $500,000 for Treadwell Park Playground improvements.The plan additionally includes $3.15 million in new spending for roads. Other sources including the Capital Non-Recurring Fund will be used for $50,000 for design of a truck washing station, $50,000 for improvements for site and salt storage improvements at the Public Works garage, $500,000 for the sidewalk program, and $500,000 for Lake Lillinonah park improvements. There is a project for a rail trail at Batchelder Park that will cost $1.4 million, to be paid for with grants. The total planned new bonding for that fiscal year is $5.055 million.Rosenthal noted that the spending for demolition on the Fairfield Hills campus was originally included in year one, but the entire thing is up in the air currently since the town is trying to get Historic Credits that would allow a developer to develop two Fairfield Hills buildings for mixed use commercial and residential. If the town receives the Historic Credits, it will not be able to demolish any Fairfield Hills buildings. Even if the town fails to get the Historic Credits, which would put demolition of buildings back on the table, the town would not be able to do it in year one. Spending for demolition included in year four and five are similarly up in the air.In year four, the town will be bonding $600,000 for the bridge replacement program, $600,000 for site and salt storage improvements at the Public Works garage, $550,000 for a truck washing station, $845,000 for replacement of fire apparatus, $250,000 for artificial turf and lighting at Treadwell Park, $350,000 for maintenance yard improvements, and $2 million for building remediation and demolition at Fairfield Hills.As with every year in the plan, year four also contains an escalating amount from the General Fund for roads, in this year $3.2 million. There is also $800,000 in additional spending for artificial turf and lighting and $200,000 in grant matching to be taken from other sources including the Capital Non-Recurring Fund. The year contains a total of $5.195 million in planned new bonding.In year five, the town will be bonding $600,000 for the bridge replacement program, $865,000 for replacement of fire apparatus, $250,000 for trail improvements at Fairfield Hills, $3 million for building remediation and demolition at Fairfield Hills, and $425,000 for Edmond Town Hall building renovations.Additionally, there is $3.25 million in planned new spending from the general fund for roads, an additional $100,000 for Fairfield Hills trail improvements to be paid for from grants, and $200,000 for grant matching from other sources. The year contains a total of $5.14 million in planned new bonding.Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.BOS Begins Review Of Five Year Capital Improvement Plan Jim Taylor
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Top Five NewtownBee.Com Stories For September 18-24
A look at the five most-read stories on our website for the week of September 18-24, 2022.Each week we compile a list of some of the recent most-read stories published at newtownbee.com. Here is a roundup of the week’s top stories, based on the number of page reads.Keep up with all the Newtown news by subscribing to the print edition, mailed each week. Click “Subscribe” at newtownbee.com or contact our Circulation Department at subscriptions@thebee.com or 203-426-3141 extension 235 — and check our website for updates.“Newtown Police Joins DEA Warning About ‘Rainbow Fentanyl’ Targeting Youths,” by John Voket, published September 20. As Newtown Police, fire, and medical responders continuously face the possibility of confronting a possible opioid overdose or tragic death, NPD Captain Bryan Bishop is advising residents about the heightened dangers of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills that users may believe are non-opioids. Read more at newtownbee.com/09202022/newtown-police-joins-dea-warning-about-rainbow-fentanyl-targeting-youths.“What Happened In Newtown Schools This Summer?,” by Eliza Hallabeck, published September 20. From moving an entire school to replacing carpets, Newtown Public Schools were beehives of activity over the summer. Read more at newtownbee.com/09202022/what-happened-in-newtown-schools-this-summer.“Newtown’s Own Jim And Sasha Allen Dropping ‘16 Borders’ EP,” by John Voket, published September 23. It seems scant weeks ago that Newtown and a growing global fan base were rallying around the father-son musical duo of Jim and Sasha Allen as they battled their way to the final rounds of the NBC talent competition show The Voice. Read more at newtownbee.com/09232022/newtowns-own-jim-and-sasha-allen-dropping-16-borders-ep.“Real Food CT Hosting Seed-To-Plate Local Harvest Celebration,” by Alissa Silber, published September 20. Real Food CT, formerly Real Food Share, will have its second annual Seed-to-Plate Local Harvest Celebration at Castle Hill Farm, 1 Sugar Lane in Newtown, on Saturday, October 1, from 6 to 9 pm. Read more at newtownbee.com/09202022/real-food-ct-hosting-seed-to-plate-local-harvest-celebration.“Defense And Special Teams Spark Win For NHS Football Team,” by Andy Hutchison, published September 23. Newtown High School’s football team traveled to Daniel Hand of Madison and earned a 28-0 win behind solid defense and some timely second-half offense on a chilly September 23 night. Read more at newtownbee.com/09232022/defense-and-special-teams-spark-win-for-nhs-football-team.Education Editor Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.Top Five NewtownBee.Com Stories For September 18-24 Eliza Hallabeck
Story Top Five NewtownBee.Com Stories For September 18-24Top Five NewtownBee.Com Stories For September 18-24FeaturesNone
Snapshot: Shannon D’Amico
Shannon D’Amico is The Newtown Bee's most recent Snapshot profile.Occupation: I am honored to be the administrative director for Ben’s Lighthouse. Being a part of this organization and the great work that we do has been a blessing in my life.Family: I have been married to my talented and generous husband, Mark, for 18 years. We have two children, Jessica (17) and Nicholas (16). Jessica graduated from Newtown High School in June and is planning to spend the next year traveling. Nicholas is a junior at Newtown High School. He is working on becoming an Eagle Scout and he is a junior member of Newtown Hook and Ladder.Pets: Pets are an important part of my life. I have always had a pet and currently I have four cats.How long have you lived in Newtown? My family moved from Bridgeport to Newtown when I was 5 years old. I have lived in surrounding towns but came back to Newtown to raise my family in 2004.What do you like to do in your free time? I like to hike and do things that make me feel connected to nature. I love the ocean as much as I love the mountains. I love reading, going to the beach, decorating, and refinishing old furniture. What I enjoy most is laughing with my two sarcastic and witty children.What is your favorite book? I enjoy reading psychological thrillers, so I would say my most recent favorite is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? My faith has been the greatest influence in my life. It is my source of hope and strength. However, my mom has been the greatest influential person in my life. She taught me, by example, the meaning of unconditional love, the value of a strong work ethic and the importance of family. Also, her Italian cultural heritage has shaped so much of who I am. The phrases that I use, the food that I cook, and the traditions that I keep stem from my mom’s cultural heritage.If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I would spend the day with my dad. He passed away in 2003, and he never got to meet my children. I would spend the day listening to him play his steel guitar, telling stories, and watching him enjoy the amazing people that my children are.Who is your favorite musical artist? It’s difficult to pick just one. I have an eclectic taste in music. I enjoy the music of James Taylor and Michael Bublé, but I also like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs. It really depends on the day.What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? The phrase, “this too shall pass” has been a gentle reminder throughout my life. An influential woman in my life that I was working with early in my career helped me find the true meaning of this phrase. It’s so simple, but it has a special meaning to me.What is something you cannot live without? A pet. I cannot picture my life without a pet.What is your proudest accomplishment? Although I have educational and career accomplishments that I am proud of, I would say that my proudest accomplishment was deciding to leave the legal field that I worked in to pursue working with a purpose that is more in line with my ideals and values.What is a meal/recipe your family has passed down to you? My mom is a phenomenal cook, and she has passed down so many Italian family recipes, but the greatest is her sauce and meatballs.What is a tradition your family does that is important to you? A family tradition that I treasure is celebrating Christmas with my entire extended family on Christmas Eve. It’s something that I hope continues for generations.What would you like The Newtown Bee to cover in the future? I’d like to see Snapshots about the youth that volunteer in our town and the great things that they are contributing to the community. I’ve had the pleasure to work with many of them during their volunteerism with Ben’s Lighthouse.Snapshot Shannon D’Amico Story Snapshot: Shannon D’AmicoSnapshot Shannon D’AmicoFeaturesNone
8th Annual REACH Car Show Wows Despite Rain Showers
There were a few drizzles on the morning of Sunday, September 11, and more persistent rain later in the day, but that did not stop car enthusiasts from heading to Fairfield Hills for at least a few hours for the 8th Annual REACH Car Show.There were a few drizzles on the morning of Sunday, September 11, and more persistent rain later in the day, but that did not stop car enthusiasts from heading to Fairfield Hills for at least a few hours for the 8th Annual REACH Car Show.Hundreds of classic, antique, vintage, and modern vehicles lined up for attendees to admire. Children could be seen eagerly pointing and exclaiming, “Wow,” when spotting their favorite ones.Long-timers to car shows could also be seen chatting amongst one another about their vehicles.In addition to the cars, there was food, trophies, live music, a raffle, and a swap meet area for guests to enjoy.The proceeds from the event benefit REACH Western Connecticut, a nonprofit organization that supports at risk youth through mentorships, expeditions, summer camps, and hybrid learning.To learn more about REACH Western Connecticut and to donate, visit reachwesternct.org/donate.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.8th Annual REACH Car Show Alissa Silber
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World Heritage Cultural Center To Showcase Global Array Of Artists October 1 At Edmond Town Hall One week from today the Newtown-based World Heritage Cultural Center will return to the spotlight with what promises to be a rich, colorful, dance and music-infused showcase on stage at Edmond Town Hall.After too long a hiatus due to travel and event restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Newtown-based World Heritage Cultural Center is returning to the spotlight with what promises to be a rich, colorful, dance and music-infused showcase on stage at Edmond Town Hall October 1.The globally-connected nonprofit empowers and promotes diverse and unique cultures from around the world, creating a global village to foster tolerance, appreciation, and unity, according to its founder and Sandy Hook resident Sattie Persaud. She told The Newtown Bee that the event is much more than just having audience members file in to watch a show, and then going back to their lives.She hopes to help make a lasting impression with each audience member, exposing and enlightening them to how much they don’t know about neighboring world cultures, and how incredible it is to experience and embrace them through visual and musical storytelling. The first of the local nonprofit’s events to be hosted in Newtown, Persaud also stressed how this “World of Colors Concert” will reinforce her organization’s mission promoting diversity.“We understand that cultural identity bolsters diversity, and thus believe acceptance and tolerance are promoted by our creation of a common ground where the creative arts are a powerful tool used to tell great stories of traditions,” according to WHCC's website.Residents and visitors interested in the full-immersion experience Persaud and the WHCC hope to share are invited to start their evening early, as a red carpet pre-show celebration kicks off at 3 pm. Following that, a roster of performers hits the Edmond Town Hall Theatre stage from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, and is followed by a VIP gala from 8:30 to 10:30 pm.Tickets for the red carpet, concert, and gala — with refreshments and food by Dodgingtown Market & Deli, and Cash Bar — are $75; under 16 and seniors $55. Veterans, public sector workers, police, local ambulance volunteers, teachers, and firefighters all receive the discount, as well.Tickets are available at Dodgingtown Market, which is also owned and operated by Persaud and her family, and tickets can be purchased at the door while they last. All proceeds go to help the artists’ groups with travel costs.According to Persaud, her organization has produced nearly 250 concerts to date, many of which were featured entertainment at a number of Travel & Adventure shows across 16 states.Since establishing the WHCC in 2009, Persaud has maintained that “cultural diversity is the glue that holds humanity together, and it’s as important as biodiversity is to nature.”“My organization is not a hobby, but an extension of who I am and the people who have helped me to find my voice,” she added. “I give gratitude every day by giving back, and this is my drive.”After helping support her family selling candy and cigarettes in front of her family home in Suriname after school between the ages of 7 and 11, Persaud came to the US to fulfill an arranged marriage situation that only lasted a short time.“Still a teen, I got an opportunity to become my mom’s cousin’s nanny, and holding two additional part-time jobs, I put myself through college,” Persaud explained. After taking additional training in accounting, she entered the corporate world and now works full-time as senior foreign exchange manger at Corporate Treasury in OTIS Elevator.Concert LineupThe October 1 “World Of Colors Concert” is being hosted by actress, producer and educator Isabella Hofmann (Second City, Burlesque, Homicide: Life on the Street, The Flash), who will be flying in from Los Angeles for the evening. Among the scheduled performers representing 21 countries in song and dance, with elaborate costuming and cultural garb are:Aubre Hill, a friend and supporter of WHCC since 2009, who is an international dance artist, choreographer, educator, and event producer for large ensembles across the United States, Egypt, Morocco, Europe, China, Taiwan, and Japan;Tradiciones Bolivianas, a dynamic group from Washington, D.C., traveling to Connecticut to showcase the beauty of Bolivia through folklore, dance, and music;The Daynomies including Baby Opie representing Native Americans. Persaud says 5-year-old Baby Opie has over 63,000 followers on Instagram who have clicked on to view as he performs with his parents and siblings;Anindita Nanda, performing the Odissi dance, one of eight classical dance forms to originate from India that is thought to be one of the oldest surviving ritual dance forms in existence, a spiritual expression of devotion to a higher being, Persaud said;Manuel Trillo, a Global Ambassador of Spain with WHCC since 2018 and a dedicated master in Latin performing arts who has been seen on Dancing with the Stars representing Spain and Argentina;Svet, an internationally recognized one-of-a-kind talent recently featured on America’s Got Talent, the Bulgarian electro violinist and friend of WHCC since 2009 merges his talent on the violin with contemporary musical styles;Ensemble Barynya, founded in 1991, this ensemble shares folklore traditions through the arts representing Jewish, Ukraine, Moldavian and Russian cultures; andKaiholunuie, trained in both Kahiko (the ancient and original form of hula) and the more modern auana, the multicultural group of ladies, young people, and keiki represents Polynesia and Hawaii.“This event is about empowering our community with the noble mission we have at World Heritage Cultural Center,” Persaud said, “to invite people to be part of an important legacy in the making for our future generations.”Learn more by visiting mywhcc.org or the organization’s social network sites, or contact WHCC at info@mywhcc.org or 203-489-0963.World Heritage Cultural Center Hosting Global Array Of Artists October 1 John Voket
Story World Heritage Cultural Center To Showcase Global Array Of Artists October 1 At Edmond Town HallWorld Heritage Cultural Center Hosting Global Array Of Artists October 1Featured Slider, FeaturesNone
The Way We Were
Newtown news of 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 years ago, from the archives of The Newtown Bee.September 19, 1997EDITORIAL INK DROPS — OUR FAMOUS READERS: A newspaper’s front page is, by tradition, reserved for the most important and interesting stories, and we here at The Bee are proud of what we put on ours. Those of you with sharp eyes may already have noticed a change in our front page this week. Directly above this column we proclaim that The Newtown Bee is the hometown paper of Carmen Veccharelli. Who is she and why is so important to warrant this recognition? Carmen happens to be The Bee’s newest subscriber, and she is important because all our readers are important. … Our readers are as important and interesting to us as anything we put on our front page, and we wish we could recognize them all. Because thousands of people read The Bee, that is impossible. But it is impossible for us to recognize at least 52 readers a year, and from here on, we intend to do that — one reader every week. We will accept suggestions from the community … We are not looking just for celebrities, dignitaries, or people with famous or familiar names. …almost all the people we meet are celebrated by family or friends for some special quality or have distinguished themselves in ways that few people ever get to know about. These are precisely the kinds of achievements that deserve more fame than usually comes their way. In this small way, we will try to rectify that.* * * * *Residents, business owners and representatives of several churches within the town’s new $34 million sewer district expressed concern over their proposed assessments at a public hearing last week. The Thursday hearing was called by the Water Pollution Control Authority to hear public comment on the proposed residential and non-residential sewer benefit assessments, which will go into effect this fall.* * * * *Newtown High School Band Director Jack Zamary announced this week that he would step down from his position at the end of the semester. He will be taking the job of music director at Pomperaug High School in Southbury. The popular teacher, now in his sixth year at NHS, told band members Wednesday night following rehearsals. Mr Zamary is known to have put in long hours running one of the largest band programs in the state. Members of the Band Parents Association said they were shocked over the news, but wished Mr Zamary well. “I’m still in mourning,” said Joanne DiDonato, a band parent. Mr Zamary was unavailable for comment at press time.* * * * *Police Commission members met with Police Chief James E. Lysaght Jr Tuesday night to discuss various complaints the Newtown Police Union has raised over how the chief runs the police department. Police Commission Chairman William Meyer said Wednesday the session “went very well” and was “very productive.” The meeting was closed to the public due to personnel issues.* * * * *Newtown Hook and Ladder, Sandy Hook and Botsford firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire just after 4:30 pm Monday at The Mary Hawley Inn on Main Street, which is under renovation. Fire Marshal George Lockwood said vapors emanating from a foam-style insulation material being installed in a cellar crawl space were accidentally ignited by a workman who was smoking a cigarette on the floor above. The fire caused the basement to fill with smoke. It was ventilated. The fire caused minimal damage and no injuries, according to Mr Lockwood.* * * * *The Fourth Annual Newtown Health & Safety Fair, a collaborative effort among local volunteer organizations, was held at the middle school last Saturday. Mae Schmidle, who co-chaired the event with Dr Della Schmid and Health District Director Mark A.R. Cooper, called the fair “a great success.” The four-hour event featured health screenings, demonstrations and displays, a visit by the LifeStar helicopter, a Newtown Ambulance crew, a Danbury Hospital paramedic, and firefighters from Hook & Ladder, Dodgingtown, Hawleyville and Sandy Hook.September 22, 1972EDITORIAL INK DROPS — UNWANTED: It is perfectly understandable that since the proposed race track in Newtown is strictly a business venture by those undertaking it, the officers of the Old Rock Road Corporation and the gentlemen seeking to build the track here should present their case in the strongest possible light. That they attempted to do at their press conference on Tuesday morning. While the presentation was quite elaborate and thorough, we felt that some areas of concern were neglected, others glossed over, and some of the figures, such as tax revenue to the town, daily attendance and estimated betting totals, were merely estimates and optimistic ones at that. … aside from taxes and money matters, we believe that the citizens of Newtown are not of a mind to lay themselves open to the sudden changes which the proposed race track would bring to the character of the town. Many of us have worked hard and long in building the sort of community in which we prefer to live, work, and bring up our families, and we think we are doing well at it. … A race track will bring 190 days of racing (including evenings and Saturdays) spread over six or seven months each year, quarters for 1,700 horses, parking for 7,800 cars and 75 buses, average daily attendance of 11,600 for thoroughbred racing and 6,300 for harness events, and an expected peak attendance of 15,000 on Saturdays. … If race tracks can be of as much benefit to a town as the Old Rock Race Corporation promises for Newtown, every town in the state should be clamoring for a track. Instead, they fight their hardest to keep them out. And that seems to be Newtown’s chore at the moment. … We have a fine birthright here, and we see no reason to sell it now, or at any time in the future, for a mess of pottage.* * * * *On Saturday, September 16, members of the Newtown Jaycees spent a hard day cleaning out the old abandoned cemetery behind Solly’s restaurant on Route 202. Their work was made a bit easier thanks to the loan of some town equipment by First Selectman Frank DeLucia. Hopefully, now that the heavy work is done, the cemetery will be kept in fairly decent condition.* * * * *Harold Burdick Jr of Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, won first place and a blue ribbon at Bethlehem Fair on September 9 with his exhibit of small scale models of the Danbury Fair Racearena stockcars. This was his first year to exhibit at a fair. Harold was nine years old on September 18.* * * * *One person was killed and two injured as the result of an accident on Route 6 in Newtown on Sunday, September 17. Pronounced dead at the scene by Dr Philip Kotch was Elenore Landgraf, 65, of Wisconsin, a passenger in a car driven by her husband. According to the police reports, the Landgraf vehicle was traveling west on Route 6, made a left turn, and was struck by an eastbound car driven by a 19-year-old Newtown male. Mr and Mrs Lindgraf were pinned in the wreckage of their automobile. Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene to assist in removing the victims from the vehicle. Mr Landgraf and the Newtown teen were taken to Danbury Hospital in the Newtown Ambulance for treatment. The accident is still under investigation by Officers Harry Noroian, Francis Bresson, and Kevin Flynn under the direction of Sgt David Lydem.* * * * *The new teachers at Newtown High School this year are Miss Frema Mancher, guidance department; Jeff Taub, math and science; Mrs Marion Navetski, science; Russ Weiss, science; Miss Julia Kushigan, foreign languages; Kurt Ryder, industrial arts; Mrs Donna Fox, guidance; Robert Sleath, science; and Edward Sisko, business department.September 19, 1947A sold-out house and enthusiastic audience greeted Mario Di Cecco and the Newtown Orchestral Society last Thursday evening in Edmond Town Hall theater when the last of three summer concerts was presented. For one thing, it was a fortunate choice of program. It reflected the work that has gone into the summer-long rehearsals.* * * * *St Rose church was the scene of a pretty wedding Saturday morning at 9 o’clock, when, in the presence of approximately three hundred relatives and friends, Miss Dorothy Marion Quinn, daughter of Mr and Mrs Hugh Quinn, became the bride of James Gordon Cavanaugh of Botsford district. Rev Walter R. Conroy, pastor, performed the marriage ceremony and celebrated the nuptial Mass which followed. The bride was given in marriage by her father. Immediately following the ceremony, the bridal party were guests of Rev Conroy at a wedding breakfast at St. Rose rectory. A reception for more than two hundred relatives followed at St. Rose Hall.* * * * *Charlotte H. Isham, teaching principal at Sandy Hook school for several years, this fall began her new job as supervisor of instruction for the schools of Newtown, Southbury, Woodbury and Bethlehem. Miss Isham is a graduate of Danbury State Teachers College and has a Master’s degree from Yale. She has demonstrated leadership ability and an understanding of good teaching practices. She has been a Sunday school teacher, a Grange (Pomperaug) secretary, and a summer camp councilor — each for several years.* * * * *The Newtown Branch of the Connecticut Children’s Aid wish to thank all the contributors to the 1947 drive for funds. The total amount received is $797.44. As there were no expenses connected with the drive, this total amount is being turned over to the Hartford headquarters where it will all be used for the placement of underprivileged children in foster homes about the state.* * * * *On Monday afternoon Mr and Mrs Charles W. Botsford and sons, Charles and Ronald, of Palestine district, left with their trailer for Los Angeles, California, where they will spend the winter. En route, the Botsfords will visit relatives in Riveredge, N.J., Ithaca, N.Y., Springfield, O., and Michigan.September 15, 1922THE HAWLEY SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ELECTS OFFICERS: At a meeting of the Athletic Association, Wednesday afternoon, the following officers were elected: President, Clark Ruffles; vice-president, Isabel Tiemann; secretary, Agatha Kennedy; treasurer, Wilbur Griscom.* * * * *The registration September 11 in the high school was as follows: 7th grade, 17; 8th grade, 48; 9th grade, 26; 10th grade, 20; 11th grade, 17; 12th grade, 13; Post Graduate 1; Total 142.* * * * *Mrs Charles Jennings and Mrs Charles Ferris gave a dog and corn roast in honor of Miss Louise Judson and Miss Margaret Minor of Woodbury and Mrs Elsie Ferris Johnson of Detroit, Mich., at Sugar street, Saturday evening. After the roast, dancing was enjoyed for a while. About 20 guests were present.* * * * *Mrs Lillian J. Hitchcock has sold her property on Main street, Newtown Borough, to Mabel L. Jasenski of Bridgeport.* * * * *Jacob Strisik, a highly respected resident of the Botsford Hill section, died on August 29, after a few days’ illness, aged 62 years. Surviving him are his wife and seven children: Phillet, Abraham, Samuel, Dorothy, Charles, Lillian and Robert. The funeral took place on August 31, Rev Mr Levy of Bridgeport officiating. The burial was in Brooklyn, N.Y.* * * * *Martin Conger has taken over the management of the Sandy Hook market, and reports business looking up.September 24, 1897Last Saturday morning while Conductor Bristol’s train north was running at a pretty good rate of speed down the grade that extends from Hawleyville to the river the engine left the track just before reaching the crossing near Ambrose Taylor’s property, in Hanover, and after running for about a dozen rods on the ties, plowed into the ditch and toppled over on to the rails a wrecked machine. Just what happened to cause the wreck could not be learned. … The track was badly torn up where the engine went over. Engineer Munson was at the throttle and when he saw his iron horse was in the dirt he and his fireman jumped and saved their lives. No one was hurt. Had it not been for the guard rails on the bridge the engine would have been in the brook undoubtedly. A wrecking train was busy all of the rest of the day clearing up the wreck and mending the track. Passengers were transferred over the wreck so that traffic was not delayed much.* * * * *S.S. Scudder furnished Butcher John H. Blackman with two good fat bovines, the first of the week.* * * * *Mrs George Platt, her son A.N. Platt, with friends, enjoyed a carriage drive through Newtown, on Thursday of last week. Mr Platt lives in the Purchase in South Britain and grows some very delicious large peaches, a sample of which were much enjoyed at The Bee office. They were the finest peaches, both for looks and taste, that ever visited our sanctum and we doubt very much if better fruit grows.* * * * *The annual picnic and clambake of the Taylor, Morris, Reynolds and Hubbell families took place Friday afternoon, on the banks of the Housatonic river. A very enjoyable time was had by all. The genial station agent, in honor of his birthday, received a beautiful golden specimen of the order Cucurbitaceæ, called Cucurbita pepo.* * * * *The crowd who were present at the Newtown station on Saturday night were horrified for a few seconds at the sight of a man falling between the cars, as the train was rapidly leaving the station. It was the 6.50 p.m. train for New Haven. Mr Taylor came rushing on to the platform just as the train was pulling out. Rushing madly for the car steps he grasped the rail, but the gates being closed he swung between the cars. Mr Taylor is a heavy man, and he would have gone to the track had not a brakeman seized him and pulled him from his perilous position. The brakeman is a man of slight build and he certainly deserves credit for the manner in which he rescued Taylor.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. way we were Story The Way We Wereway we were_129Features, Way We WereNone
Cross Country Teams Off And Running The cross country season got underway in winning fashion for the NHS girls boys.The cross country season is underway. Newtown High School’s girls’ and boys’ squads both had their season-opening meet pushed a day due to weather forecasts, and both squads visited Brookfield on September 14.Newtown’s girls defeated Brookfield 20-42, Weston 15-50, and Joel Barlow 16-47.Overall, Clara D’Amico was second in a time of 22:10, Kendyl Morgenstern third in 22:25, Lauren Jacobs fourth in 22:27, Grace Lyons fifth in 22:42, Grace Chiriatti seventh in 23:09, Keira Budge eighth in 23:25, and Britta Petersen tenth in 23:38.The NHS boys beat Brookfield 23-36, defeated Weston 19-44, and were edged out by Joel Barlow in a 29-28 setback. Newtown’s top seven times are as follows: Soheib Dissa 17:23, Noah Masotta 18:59, Henry Prout 19:41, Stephen Sibley 20:03, Evan Chaudhary 20:05, Curtis Shaw 20:34, and Andrew Arena 20:35.The Nighthawks visited Bunnell of Stratford to take on the host Bulldogs and Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport on September 20.In the girls’ race, the Hawks defeated Bunnell 16-46 and Kolbe 15-50. NHS had the top four runners as D’Amico led the way in a time of 21:08 and was followed by Jacobs in 21:11, Morgenstern in 21:22, and Chiriatti in 21:23. Budge placed sixth in 21:49, Nadia Andrew came in seventh in 21:51, Petersen was ninth in 22:13, and Jessica Zhang came in tenth in 22:18.The boys beat Bunnell 19-42 and Kolbe 24-35. Dissa was tops overall, winning his first varsity meet in 16:49. Masotta finished in 18:27, Prout in 18:49, Sibley in 18:58, Shaw in 18:52, Arena in 18:55, and Chaudhary in 19:22.NHS Cross Country Story Cross Country Teams Off And RunningNHS Cross Country_74SportsNone
Girls’ Swim And Dive Team Defeats Joel Barlow Hawks win home meet with first-place results in most events.Newtown High School’s girls’ swimming and diving team defeated visiting Joel Barlow of Redding 94-75 on September 20. The Nighthawks sealed the team win after the 200 yard freestyle relay event and exhibitioned the final three competitions of the afternoon.The 200 medley relay team of Alexa Kwarcinski, Zoe Petertonjes, Grace Fischer, and Anna Shew came in first in 2:00.81.Diellza Limani was Newtown’s fastest swimmer in the 200 free and placed second in 2:08.96. Newtown went one-two in the 200 individual medley race as Petertonjes placed first in 2:23.32 and Shew followed in 2:32.05. The Hawks again had the top two finishers in the 50 free with Kwarcinski sprinting to the finish in 26.02 and Ella Seaver placing second in 28.59.Kaitlin Yeaton won the diving competition with a score of 168.00 and Kayleigh Troy was second with 151.30.Fischer won the 100 butterfly race in 1:05.98. Petertonjes won the 100 free in 57.12, and Limani came in second in the 100 with her final touch in 59.22. Lauren Smiley was second in the 500 free, clocking in at 6:09.99.Newtown was first in the 200 free relay as Kwarcinski, Limani, Lilian Accettella, and Petertonjes finished in 1:49.38.Fisher had the fastest time in the 100 backstroke event, completing the race in 1:06.91. Kwarcinski was the fastest in the 100 breaststroke in 1:12.76. The best 400 relay time was recorded by Limani, Seaver, Fischer, and Shew in 4:08.32.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.NHS Girls Swimming Andy Hutchison
Story Girls’ Swim And Dive Team Defeats Joel BarlowNHS Swim_44SportsNone
Newtown Tennis Association Open Draws 120 Players And Junior Classic Set For October 1 Junior tourney open for players in U12 to U18 age groups.The two-day Newtown Tennis Association (NTA) Newtown Open took place on the courts at Newtown High School and Treadwell Park during the weekend of September 17 and 18. This year’s event drew 120 participants, organizer Haby Farah said. Champions were crowned in several categories among men’s and women’s singles, as well as doubles, and mixed doubles participants.Farah was pleased with the participation and appreciative of the sponsors who helped make the event a success once again. Sponsors are ASC Advanced Specialty Care PC, Cover Two Sports Cafe, and Reverie Brewing Company.Fall-time tennis tournament action is not over just yet. The NTA’s Newtown Junior Classic will take place Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, at Treadwell Park. Divisions are offered for U10, U12, U14, and U18 girls and boys. Cost is $20 per player. Tournament Director is Brett Teolis. Visit newtowntennisassociation.com to register.Newtown Tennis Open Story Newtown Tennis Association Open Draws 120 Players And Junior Classic Set For October 1Newtown Tennis Open_1Featured Slider, SportsNone
Girls’ Soccer Team Piles Up Goals In Home Win Over Bunnell Soccer team follows up with with hard-fought tie.Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team scored early and often en route to a 7-1 triumph over visiting Bunnell of Stratford, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on September 16.Riley Powers and Sydney Oltran both had two goals and an assist, Ella Morits had a goal and an assist, and Skyler Howard and Hannah Stowe both hit the net.At the other end of the field, Newtown goalkeeper Ryann Heim-Sherwood had three saves.The Nighthawks went to Weston and earned a 1-1 tie on September 20. Powers was credited with a goal on a corner kick when Weston failed to clear the ball and it ended up in its own net. Heim-Sherwood made six saves.NHS Girls Soccer Story Girls’ Soccer Team Piles Up Goals In Home Win Over BunnellNHS Girls Soccer_127SportsNone
Boys’ Booters Earn Wins To Start Season The Nighthawks edged Bunnell, blanked Naugatuck, and came back to beat Weston.After the first game was postponed by rain, Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team played twice in as many days — and won both contests — to begin the season.The Nighthawks went on the road and defeated Bunnell 2-1 on September 16. Luke Kellerman set up Johnny Celli in the first half and Adam Dissa assisted John Moxham in the second halfNewtown welcomed nonconference foe Naugatuck the next afternoon and won 2-0 at Blue & Gold Stadium. The Hawks mostly controlled play by creating turnovers in the middle of the field in a scoreless opening half. NHS got on the board twice in the second half with the same scorers who did the damage in game one. Gjin Abazi set up both net-finders — one by Celli and the other by Moxham.The Nighthawks defeated visiting Weston 3-2 on September 20. The first Newtown goal was scored by Calvin Lucas on a header set up by Dissa. Alex Braholli netted the second goal, on a header that tied the game, and Connor Muir scored the decisive tally late in regulation. Abazi recorded his third assist of the campaign.NHS Boys Soccer Story Boys’ Booters Earn Wins To Start SeasonNHS Boys Soccer_92SportsNone
Free for Newtown Senior Center members (nonmembers call for fee information)
Join Senior Center employee for guided tour of headquarters and history lesson about all-volunteer state organized militia unit originally formed to protect and escort the governor, registration required; 203-270-4310.
Program for ages 3-6 and caregivers with focus on process, not product, creating together with paint, crayons, markers and collage materials, dress for mess, registration required, offered weekly to December 14; 203-426-4533, chboothlibrary.org.
K-5 students invited to join Hoffman for arts, arts and crafts, and photography, with focus this month on autumn, registration required; jfhohhman@aol.com.
Cocktail reception, raffles, live entertainment by Ian Biggs, celebration to commemorate the integration of Black Rock “Lucky 13” K-9s back into the workforce and healthy homes in community, presented by and proceeds to benefit Hometown Foundation K-9 Awareness Program; 203-250-5661, lucky13K9s.givesmart.com.
Joy Hoffman leads 60-minute class to deeply relax and calm the brain through visual and guided imagery, no posts, BYO yoga mat, 2 blankets, and wash cloth, all ages welcome, reservations requested but drop-ins welcome; jfhoffman@aol.com.
New club created with hope that examples of climate change fiction, or “Cli-Fi,” provide new perspective on real world examples of climate changed cited during programs and will serve to start dialogue or support conversations already happening locally will launch with discussion of Jenny Offill’s 202 novel, copies available at library; 203-426-4533, chboothlibrary.org.
If we shied away from political reporting, we would not be doing our job - and we are blessed to have sustained immense community trust for almost 150 years.
