Jackknifed Truck Has Temporarily Closed Wasserman WayA major thoroughfare in town is temporarily closed this morning after a fluid leak led to a jack-knifed tractor trailer, which blocked both directions of the busy roadway.UPDATE (3:33 pm): Wasserman Way has reopened.* * * * * A major thoroughfare in town is temporarily closed this morning after a fluid leak led to a jack-knifed tractor trailer, which blocked both directions of the busy roadway.Around 8:20 am on Friday, July 26, Newtown Hook & Ladder firefighters were already en route to a reported spill on Wasserman Way when they were dispatched to a second call for a jackknifed trailer blocking the roadway.According to police on scene, a white tractor trailer flatbed with no load was leaking fluid believed to be fuel into the roadway. A second tractor-trailer truck behind the one leaking the fluid then slid in the fuel and jackknifed. A white sedan also spun out behind it.The trailer that jackknifed punctured its own saddle tank, spilling more diesel fuel onto the roadway. Initial reports indicated approximately 200 gallons were involved in the spill.Newtown Hook & Ladder responded quickly, pouring Speedi-Dry over the fuel on the road and ensuring no chemicals leaked into the sewer drains or catch basins. Public Works responded quickly as well, deploying a sand truck to spread over the fluids trailing up Wasserman Way towards South Main Street.Newtown Hook & Ladder members also hiked down the hill to Deep Brook to ensure no contamination was possible from the incident.No injuries were reported.Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue was also dispatched to help mitigate the scene. They arrived with a hazmat trailer and used a saddle tank containment kit to ensure the remaining diesel fuel would not spread onto the roadway. Newtown Police blocked Wasserman Way from Queen Street to Trades Lane. Access to the main entrance of Fairfield Hills is currently from the east (Exit 11/Oakview Road side of Wasserman Way).Traffic off Queen Street is being sent southwest, to South Main Street; drivers cannot turn left onto Mile Hill Road.Mile Hill Road South is closed between Mile Hill and Keating Farms Avenue.There was no immediate indication how long it will take to clear the vehicles, fully contain the spill, and reopen the road.Newtown Police Sergeant Chapman explained, “We can open [the road] up when it’s environmentally safe to open it up.”Newtown Hook & Ladder Assistant Chief Dan Gindraux said the first priority of those responding “was protecting the storm drains. We got things contained, we checked storm drains, and now we’re waiting for CT DEEP to arrive.”Newtown Police are asking that anyone who witnessed the initial truck leaking to contact them at 203-426-5841. It's possible the issue was unknown to that driver, the department indicated in a Facebook post.=====Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.Jackknifed Trailer Sam Cross
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A major thoroughfare in town is temporarily closed this morning after a fluid leak led to a jack-knifed tractor trailer, which blocked both directions of the busy roadway.
Church Hill Road I-84 Overpass Renamed For Late Sandy Hook Fire ChiefState and local leaders joined with Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue members and the Halstead family for a ceremony to rename the Church Hill Road over I-84 in honor of the late Chief William Halstead. State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), Martin Foncello (R-107) and State Senator Tony Hwang along with the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue (SHVFR) and the Halstead family held a ceremony on July 20 to formally rename the Church Hill Road bridge, which carries traffic over I-84, n honor of the late SHVFR Chief William Halstead.A replica sign was unveiled during the brief Saturday afternoon ceremony and presented to Halstead’s widow, Debbie Aurelia Halstead. She noted that the Chief crossed the bridge now bearing his name every day on his way to the firehouse, to and from calls to Dunkin’ for tea, and to the Fairfield Hills campus.After responding to a call on July 8, 2022, Chief William Halstead returned to his home and became ill. He passed shortly after the incident, despite efforts of SHVFR personnel, police, and paramedics.SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello told the assembled audience they “lost our chief and friend, Bill Halstead, two years ago, on July 8, 2022.”“He was a leader, a mentor, and a constant presence to this company and town,” said Capozziello. “Many of us still think about and miss him every day.”Capozziello said Halstead “dedicated his life to fire safety and protection.”“He lived within this fire district his entire life, but he led all of us with equal dedication when we were called upon to serve those beyond district lines,” said Capozziello. “We are honored that he will be forever memorialized with the naming of the Church Hill Road I-84 overpass, which bridges the edge of our district.”Capozziello then introduced Rep Bolinsky, who gave an overview of why the state renamed the bridge the late chief. Senator Hwang and Rep Foncello both delivered brief remarks to honor the late chief.Bolinsky thanked Cappozziello, the fire company, and the SHVFR Ladies Auxiliary for hosting the gathering of friends, family, and fellow firefighters, saying, “Today we honor and remember Bill Halstead, our 'Chief,' a lifelong resident of Sandy Hook, member of SHVFR for over 57 years. Bill carried on the legacy of his family, including his mother, father, brother, and numerous aunts and uncles, joining the department in January 1965, at 16. He served continuously as chief of the department for 44 years after being elected to the position in 1978, also having worked for the State of Connecticut at Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown for 25 years. He was the chief of the hospital’s fire department until his retirement in 1997. He also served as Newtown’s Emergency Management Director for 23 years, Deputy Fire Marshal for the Town of Newtown from 1983 to 2001 and became the full-time Marshal in 2001.“To say he was respected and loved is evidenced by the incredible turnout of friends, family, fellow firefighters and admirers. Thank you all for being here today, as we dedicate The Chief William T. Halstead Memorial Bridge. Formerly known only as DOT Bridge 505, you know it as the connection point of Newtown and Sandy Hook, carrying Church Hill Road over I-84. That connection is symbolic of Bill, and his love for our community.”Bolinsky then invited Debbie Aurelia Halstead, Newtown’s elected Town Clerk, to say a few words. She thanked Bolinsky for introducing the proposal. She was followed by Bill Halstead’s daughter, Karin Halstead, who is SHVFR’s EMS Captain.“From the Halstead family, I would like to thank everyone for attending today’s event,” said Karin Halstead. “Our Dad was lucky enough to find his true passion in life, the fire service. He joined Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Co on his 16th birthday and never looked back.“He rose through the ranks and became Chief in 1978,” she continued. “During his time as Chief of Sandy Hook, he also served as the Fire Chief of Fairfield Hills Hospital, the town’s Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Director. He also served on several local and state organizations, including being the president of the CT State Firefighters Association. As if all of those positions were not enough, he also sold fire trucks as a second job.“Our father lived and breathed the fire service. His legacy lives on through many across the state including the members of the Sandy Hook Vol Fire & Rescue Company. It is an honor to our family to have the bridge dedicated to our Dad for all of his public service.First Selectman Jeff Capeci and Police Chief David Kullgren offered their thoughts about Halstead. Newtown Poet Laureate Lauren Clifford read an ode she wrote about Chief Halstead, his daughter, and SHVFR.Foncello said Newtown has “a real community here” and “that’s in large part to the sense of tradition instilled by Chief Halstead over his many years of service.”“I didn’t know him personally, but by talking with some of you I can feel his love and dedication to the town in you,” said Foncello.Hwang said that as he was driving toward the Sandy Hook main station recently, he saw the sign for the first time.“As I saw it, it filled me with a tremendous sense of gratitude for what Bill provided to the community,” he said. At the firehouse Saturday afternoon, he told The Newtown Bee this week, “I talked about his love for the community, his love for the extended family of the Sandy Hook Volunteer firefighters, and the auxiliary there.“He loved being in the emergency services, protecting the town, and the love for Deb and his family was evident by the outpouring of support shown that afternoon. It was a reflection of his love for the people, and this honor was a way for us, as a town, to extend our love and appreciation to him, for all that he has done.“This is one where we remind people that it is fantastic to remember people like Bill, who make this town so special."Bill was a hard cookie to crack, but beneath that tough and exacting exterior, he was a man that really appreciated people who share the same kind of commitment to the community.”Hwang said he talked about arriving at the Emergency Operations Center at Fairfield Hills soon after a microburst moved through the area in May 2018.“He jokingly said, ‘I’m not very fond of politicians,’” Hwang recalled. “But I was there, and helping, and told him ‘Tell me what we need to do.’”Halstead told Hwang he needed water, for residents.“So I contacted Pepsi, and a water company, and within two hours Pepsi had delivered water, two pallets, to the storage center there,” Hwang recalled. “I went back to Bill and said ‘OK that’s done. What else can I do?’“He looked at me with this small smile and I felt like I’d just earned an ‘Atta boy,’” Hwang said. “You know it was not given easily, but when you got that kind of acknowledgement, you felt a tremendous source of pride that you got that from Bill. I think that’s what really creates that kind of relations with his firefighters and the community: this is a man who cared deeply. And when you care deeply in return, he gives you that ‘Atta boy.’ I felt like a kid who got a gold star.”Hwang said “as tough as he was, he truly had a love for Deb, and his daughters and son. This is a family that represents those values of community and principle. Especially his daughter who is still in the firehouse — his legacy still stands.”=====Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.Church Hill Road I-84 Overpass Renamed For Former Fire Chief Jim Taylor
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Lawmakers To Host Newtown Senior Legislative UpdateState Representatives Mitch Bolinsky, Marty Foncello, and State Senator Tony Hwang are inviting Newtown residents to a senior legislative update one week from today. State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), Marty Foncello (R-107), and State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) are inviting Newtown residents to a senior legislative update on Thursday, August 1.The update will be in the Community Building at Nunnawauk Meadows, 3 Nunnawauk Road, from 2 to 4 pm.The conversation will cover the major topics from the 2024 legislative session and acts of particular interest for senior citizens.The legislators will discuss their efforts to transform at-home senior living in Connecticut, and improve nursing home care, and maintain the fiscal safeguards that kept stabilized state taxes.The non-partisan Office of Legislative Research produces reports at the end of each legislative session outlining major topics. “Acts Affecting Seniors” can be accessed online at cga.ct.gov/olr.lawmakers to host senior legislative update, August 1 at Nunnawauk Meadows Story Lawmakers To Host Newtown Senior Legislative Updatelawmakers to host senior legislative update, August 1 at Nunnawauk MeadowsNewsNone
Special Voter Registration Session FridayThe Office of the Registrar of Voters will be open Friday, July 26, for a Special Voter Registration Session. The Office of the Registrar of Voters will be open Friday, July 26, from 5 to 7 pm, for a Special Registration Session.Local residents can register at that time to vote. This is a new state-mandated offering, Newtown Registrar of Voters Erica Canfield reminded The Newtown Bee this week.The Office of the Registrar is within Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.Early VotingEarly voting ahead of the August Republican Primary has also been scheduled. Local registered Republicans can vote ahead of the August 13 primary at the same location. The office will have extended hours August 5-11. It will be open 10 am-6 pm Monday, August 5; Wednesday, August 7; and Friday through Sunday, August 9-11. It will also be open 8 am-8 pm Tuesday and Thursdays, August 6 and 8.For additional information contact the Office of the Registrar at 203-270-4250 or registrar.of.voters@newtown-ct.org.special voter registration session Friday Story Special Voter Registration Session FridayNewsNone
Zoning Can Be Changed To Reflect Different Priorities A letter from Charlie Gardner.(Editor’s Note: This letter originally appeared in the June 28, 2024 print edition of The Newtown Bee. It was missed when that week’s letters were uploaded to this website.)* * * * * To the Editor:Land conservation and the protection of Newtown's agricultural heritage are vitally important to many residents. With a new Plan of Conservation and Development in the works and proposed housing developments again making news and spurring letters to the editor, it’s worth reflecting on how Newtown's forests and farmlands reached the condition they are in today.In 1959, as development pressures had begun to overtake Newtown, the Bee Editorial Board wrote that "we hope the time will never come when dense population will destroy that open feeling of space to breathe and room to move about, which we have always taken for granted." To reconcile demand for housing with desire for conservation, the Bee suggested a variation in development densities, with Newtown establishing large lot size minimums in what it characterized as the "corners" of the town and minimums below one acre in the center. In other words: a distinct town, and a distinct countryside.This sensible idea was not adopted by the town or the Borough. Instead, that same year Newtown was zoned from top to bottom with minimum lot sizes that were mostly of one, two and three acres. The Borough, which had initially had a minimum lot size of one-half acre, increased this to one acre. As a result, even our beloved Main Street does not conform to Borough zoning, since most lots are too small or have too little street frontage to meet zoning regulations. Having made it illegal to build at the density of a traditional, walkable New England village, the town also failed to establish any agricultural greenbelt to conserve farms and guide development of the large-lot homes it had mandated.The 1959 plan, intended to slow growth and keep taxes low, has been modified and improved many times over the years but is still in large part the same one the town has on the books today. It has promoted a voracious consumption of our farms and fields for large houses while preventing development on smaller lots near the center of town. It has failed to keep taxes low while stretching our infrastructure thin. And it has left conservationists fighting a valiant but desperate rearguard action.The good news is that the decisions made 65 years ago aren’t binding on us today. Zoning can be changed to reflect different priorities, many of which are already written into our POCD but not yet into our ordinances. We have a chance to refine those priorities this year and have our zoning reflect what we want, not what we fear. It will require acknowledging that development and conservation can and should be complementary, that walkability is a worthy and achievable goal, and that quality of life can benefit immensely from good physical planning. It’s my hope that we can work together to make it happen.Charlie GardnerSandy Hook
A Firefighter’s House: An Elegy For SHVFR Chief William HalsteadComposed by Lauren Clifford, Poet Laureate of Newtown, this was read during the Bridge Dedication Ceremony conducted at Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue’s main station on Saturday, July 20. Composed by Lauren Clifford, Poet Laureate of Newtown, this was read during the Bridge Dedication Ceremony conducted at Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue’s main station on Saturday, July 20.He was raised in a firefighter’s house—A home where relatives spoke of smoke battled,Of nerves rattled, of miraculous outcomes,Of those who succumbed.He admired his family’s courage and listened intentlyTo that assembly of Aunt, Uncle,Brother, Father, Mother, Grandmother.He knew that one day, he too, would have anecdotesThat he would quote from memory, for he would take that same pledgeTo go to the edge near the glow of the inferno to save lives.His lineage was a collector of protectors..He trained in a firefighter’s house—A station, a base, a place to learn how to tame the flames,How to distinguish the first ones to extinguish,How to appraise the blaze,How to fight against the light of peril.Getting a call, he would haul his equipment to the truck,And drive up the ridge, and over the bridge in any weather,Whether early or late, whether wired with caffeineOr tired with fatigue, he wanted to go save lives becauseHis lineage was a collector of protectors..He did his best work in a firefighter’s house—Although his name wasn’t on the deed,In its time of need, it was a firefighter’s house—It belonged to the hands that held the hose, that rose the axTo make deep cracks in Death’s door,The hands that searched the floor to pull the inhabitants to safety.He put himself in harm’s way keeping the flames at bay,And ascended the ranks, becoming Chief and giving thanks thatHis lineage was a collector of protectors..After each job, he went home to his own firefighter’s house—He rested, weary from dueling the grueling heat,Willing to repeat his noble actions the next morning,No stranger to the danger and risk.But after decades in the line of duty, this line ended—He had to leave his own firefighter’s house.The cause: occupational, the effect: irreplaceable.The widow’s window reflected the heartache most clearly.The firefighter’s house was forlorn, the community mournedMissing its fearless leader, but was honored to have hadSomeone whose lineage was a collector of protectors..She was raised in a firefighter’s house—She remembers her father always in a race to chase awayThe scorching monsters that threatened the town.He was a selfless hero to her and the town concurred.Now grown up, she sits in the driver’s seat,Ready to defeat another emergency.With urgency, she drives up the ridge and over the bridgeJust as her father did to serve the community.She does what’s innate, for that is her fate,For she is part of her father’s legacy.Her lineage is a collector of protectors.SIDEBAR for Halstead bridge dedication: A Firefighter's House Story A Firefighter’s HouseAn Elegy For SHVFR Chief William HalsteadFeaturesNone
Composed by Lauren Clifford, Poet Laureate of Newtown, this was read during the Bridge Dedication Ceremony conducted at Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue’s main station on Saturday, July 20.
Top Of The MountainNewtown news and notes, as told from the point of view of a cat named Mountain. If the beautiful bumble bee weather vane atop our building looks particularly golden this week there’s good reason for it. Fifty years ago this week that unique weather vane, and even the cupola below it, was installed atop 5 Church Hill Road. A four by five foot structure was built by Harry Rishor of Newtown, assisted by Ray Goldberg and Steve Fesh. The idea for the weathervane came from The Bee’s then-Editor, Scudder Smith. The signature work was then designed and constructed by John Hallock, a metal craftsman of Bethlehem, who created the 35-pound directional based on The Bee’s stationery. The weather vane arrived first, by way of John’s yellow VW convertible. “On his way,” a story in the July 26, 1974 Bee shared, “he received quite a few stares because the bee was perched in the back seat” of his vehicle. The weather vane and the cupola both went to the roof on Wednesday, July 24, 1974.Another way to remember its age, as pointed out by the current Editor of The Newtown Bee: The weather vane is just a few months younger than Jim Taylor. Jim quietly sailed right past his own milestone a few months ago.Happy Birthday Barbara Bloom! A little birdie (who I haven’t eaten, since they shared good news with me) tells me Barbara has a milestone birthday within the week. I’ll leave it at that, and hope she had a wonderful celebration.As covered this week by Reporter Sam Cross, The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Book Sale has wrapped up for another summer. That means a few things: the library’s budget will be receiving a nice financial injection once the sale’s numbers are finalized, volunteers have returned to the library to start preparing for next year’s sale, and donations are again being accepted. Readers are invited to once again offer donations of gently-used books, games, puzzles, and media to the Friends. Donations can be dropped off just inside the Friends’ Donation Room, opposite the elevator on the first floor of the library, 25 Main Street, any time the library is open. Donations are sold year-round through The Little Book Store, located on the main floor of the year; some are set aside for the Holiday Sale in December; and many, many donations are put into the annual summer event. Proceeds from the sale of these items help the Friends support the purchase of library materials, online services, programs, and special projects.A gentle reminder that the Friends cannot accept encyclopedias and Time-Life Series collections; outdated reference and text books, and travel guides; VHS tapes; Readers’ Digest condensed books; or magazines and free pamphlets. A special Fall Donation Day will be scheduled in October. I’ll let you know when that date is firmed up.FAITH Food Pantry has firmed up its newest donations drop-off location. Thanks to longtime food pantry volunteer Andy Engels, a permanent cabinet has been installed in the vestibule of C.H. Booth Library. Andy, who constructed the Little Free Library installed outside the food pantry in September, also built the new collection cabinet now in place at the library. Visitors can drop off nonperishables any time the library is open (Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am-8 pm; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 am-5 pm; and Sunday, 12-5 pm). I know some of the food pantry’s clients are particularly thankful for cans and boxes of cat food…Jim and Sue Shortt will host Night on the Farm next week. Readers are invited to join their family and employees for live music by Andy Corson, the opportunity to buy dinner or snacks from Stacks Mobile Food Truck, and of course enjoy ice cream from the recently launched ice cream portion of their longstanding farm and garden center. The evening is all planned for Tuesday, July 30, at 52A Riverside Road. You can tell ‘em I sent you, of course.Also next week, readers are invited to join Newtown Forest Association members as they officially kick off their centennial next week. State Senator Tony Hwang is planning to be at Holcombe Hill Preserve, 65 Great Hill Road, on Thursday, August 1, for 10 am. Tony will present a proclamation on behalf of the State of Connecticut to officially acknowledge the centennial of conservation by NFA. There will also be a special announcement made that morning. Light refreshments will be served following the announcements. All are welcome. Registration is requested via email to trent.mccann@newtownforestassociation.org.According to a recently released survey, Connecticut residents plan to view approximately 24 hours of the Olympic Games over the next two weeks. HostingAdvice surveyed 3,000 sports fans about their Olympic viewing ambitions and learned Nutmeggers are going for the gold in couch potato viewership. The average Connecticut sports enthusiast plans to dedicate a full day, cumulatively, to viewing, cheering, and even groaning at what they see unfolding in Paris. Some states are taking their Olympic devotion to new heights. Hawaii leads the pack, with residents estimating a jaw-dropping 98 hours of viewing time — four straight days of non-stop Olympic action. On the flip side, Montanans appear less consumed, planning a modest 8 hours of coverage, or just enough time to watch the opening ceremony and maybe catch a few swimming finals.Tradition still reigns supreme when it comes to how viewers will tune in. Two-thirds of viewers will opt for the classic TV experience, while a tech-savvy 22% will stream on their phones. A small but dedicated 1% plan to watch via game consoles. Social media takes the gold for staying updated, with 55% of fans turning to their feeds for the latest Olympic news. News websites claim silver at 27%, while official Olympic apps and sports apps battle it out for bronze.My ambition has reached its nadir yet again, as the International Olympics Committee has had another four years to work a catnap competition into its routine but has disappointed me once more. I’d easily pick up the gold there. I hope you’ll remember to pick up a copy of the paper next week, or check me out online, where in seven days you can … read me again.Top of the Mountain Story Top of the MountainFeaturesNone
Snapshot: Kristy DavenportThis week's Snapshot introduces readers to Kristy Davenport. Family: My husband, Peter — we’ve been married 31 years; sons Peter and Mike; and daughter Tess.Pets: Two standard golden doodles, Sandy, 11; and Lucy, who’s 1 year.How long have you lived in Newtown? 32 years. We bought our house a year to the day before we were married.Work: I’m in my 17th year at Sandy Hook School, where I’m a paraeducator. I’m support staff for students, help the teachers, pretty much do whatever Admin asks me to do. I love my job, and if you love what you do it makes it much easier to go in every day.What do you like to do in your free time? Anything in my gardens or my yard, even weeding because it makes things look pretty. I also like bird watching, and crafty stuff, especially repurposing things.Do you have a favorite book? I really love The Help.What is the most recent book you’ve read?Lessons in Chemistry. I am a big reader, and during the school year I’ll usually read the Nutmeg [Book Award] books that are up for awards. It sparks conversations with the kids at school because they’ll ask what I’ve read, and which part I liked. Having them see adults reading the books, other than the librarian, who also reads them, is great. Getting kids excited about reading is very important. I’ve been doing that — reading all ten Nutmegs — for years. I love it, and the kids love seeing grown-ups reading their books.Are you part of any organizations? I haven’t been active recently, but I was very active with TLC Sweet Soles Rescue for about seven years. It’s a dog and cat rescue place in town, and I was actually known as “The Puppy Pusher” [laughs] because several people who didn’t have dogs got them, as did several people at work, from me. I do things for them once in a while. I’m also big with Buy Nothing Newtown because I love to repurpose stuff and keep things out of landfills. I also love offering things to the [BNN Facebook group] when I have something I no longer want or need. Let’s spread the wealth a little bit.What was the most recent movie you saw in the theater?Barbie. I went with my mom.Favorite actor? Kevin Costner.Favorite musical artist? Jimmy BuffettDo you have any pet peeves? People that litter. During COVID I ran out of things to do that were non-contact with people, so I started walking. Within a quarter-mile of my house I found so much to pick up, I had to call my daughter to help. I had so much in a bag, I couldn’t carry all of it. I just recently did that again with a friend of mine, going in the opposite direction from my house, and we picked up so much trash again. There’s garbage cans everywhere, and even the floor of your car — just hold on to something until you’re home and throw it out then. It’s so not OK to just throw something on the side of the road, or anywhere else it doesn’t belong.Favorite color? Hot pinkWhat is something you cannot live without? Sweets, especially chocolate, but if I lost my phone I’d really be lost. At the end of the day, though, I need my sweets.Do you have a favorite travel destination? The mountains of Maine — inland, the lakes and rivers; not the coast.What is your favorite part about Newtown? The togetherness that everybody shows. When there’s someone in need, there is always help. People step up, even if they don’t know a person. I don’t know if we know about it now because of Facebook and other platforms that are available, but I don’t recall this growing up and you just see so much of that now.What is something you’d like to see covered inThe Newtown Bee? I’d like to see more follow-up stories. You hear about something, and then it often goes flat. Just more follow-ups on any kind of topic that should have a follow-up.Do you have a personal credo? Smile. It makes the world a brighter place.snapshot -- Kristy Davenport Story Snapshot: Kristy Davenportsnapshot -- Kristy DavenportFeaturesNone
ABCs Of Newtown: P Is For Pleasance“The ABCs of Newtown” is a series tying each letter of the alphabet to something in Newtown. This week we continue with a look at a public park in the center of town.For more than a quarter-century, the public has been invited to enjoy The Pleasance, a public garden on private property at 1 Main Street that offers a reprieve at the corner of Main and Sugar streets and complements the historic Ram Pasture to the immediate south. The 1.03-acre property hosts meandering pathways, an antique fountain, sculpture, carefully planned and manicured gardens, and a forested area for children complete with a playhouse and separate garden.Its name, Bee Publishing Company Co-Publisher Helen Smith said this week, means “is a feeling of pleasure and delight. A place to rest and to have recreation.” Her late husband, R. Scudder Smith, once expanded on the definition, writing “Depending on the dictionary consulted, the definition is ‘A place laid out as a pleasure garden or promenade.” Its creators surely fulfilled both definitions.The Pleasance is owned by The Scudder Smith Family Association LLC and maintained by Bee Publishing Company.Visitors of all ages have long enjoyed the current offering of the property, which previously housed two auto-related businesses.'The Lovell Corner'Louis Lovell purchased 1 Main Street and the five acres to its immediate west in 1925, and constructed a service station he then operated for decades before selling to Oldsmobile dealer Harry Greenman.The Bee Publishing Company purchased the property in 1983. Greenman continued working for four years, retiring in 1987. The building — still referred to as “Lovell’s Garage” by many residents, despite its change of hands and focus — then became storage for vehicles repossessed by Newtown Police Department (who at the time had its headquarters at 3 Main Street) and a spot for unwanted graffiti.The building was demolished in May 1993, and The Bee had hoped to move its office and printing facilities there. Following failed legal battles, however, the newspaper offices and printing facility remained on Church Hill and Commerce roads, respectively.It was during the summer of 1996, while at Wilton Antiques Marketplace, that Helen and Scudder Smith found what became the initial centerpiece for the property.“That fountain would look nice at the Lovell corner,” Helen Smith reportedly said as she zeroed in on a three-tier cast iron Fiske example at the outdoor marketplace. The next day Don Heller, a dealer from Portland, Me., was in town unloading the fountain from his truck and suddenly a major project was in the making for Bee Publishing Company.According to “A ‘Pleasance’ Takes Shape At A Newtown Crossroads” by R. Scudder Smith (October 31, 1997), “Attention had to be first given to the condition of the fountain. It had not been used for many years and had grown a healthy crop of rust in areas where an orange colored paint had worn off.“Professional help was badly needed and found in the person of Chris Bowman, a blacksmith of many talents working in Shelton. Within a week the fountain was back to its former self, clean of rust and dirt and painted with a gray primer,” Smith continued. “The sandblasting process took away the grime and now the small turtles and frogs which line the rim of the bottom pan of the fountain are sharp and distinct.”Once the fountain’s new location was determined, local garden designer Kimberly Day Proctor drew up a plan for the area bounded by Main Street, Sugar Street, and a right-of-way that ran south of Town Hall South and curved out to meet Sugar Street.“She was asked to incorporate a few gardens, a gazebo, a path which would lead walkers through most of the lot, and steps where the slope of the land was steep,” Smith wrote. “A planted berm here and there would be needed to enclose the property, and a bocce court was thrown in for good measure.”Sinopoli Mason Contractors of Southbury, under the direction of brothers Vincent and Anthony Sinopoli, installed the fountain. Frank La Pak, a retired employee of The Bee, gave the fountain its final coat of signature green paint.The Sinopoli team also painted lines all over the lot outlining the walkways, steps, gardens, bridges, and a stone-lined swale designed to carry rain water from the adjoining town-owned parking lots through a pipe and out into the wetlands.Topsoil was brought in to the property and construction machines began removing large chunks of cement that were once part of the foundation of Lovell’s Garage. They also placed slabs of granite to form three sets of steps on the south side of the lot. Work progressed from Main Street down the hill, until a row of boulders was placed along the right-of-way, completing the project.“After they saw what was going on at the corner of Main and Sugar Streets, a few people stepped forward with contributions of their own,” again according to the 1997 Newtown Bee feature. “Tom Draper donated ten lush hemlocks from his Deep Brook Road property, Tom Johnson of Lexington Gardens contributed an ornamental tree which now sits by the gazebo, and Wendell Stonaker brought some plants from his garden just down the road on Sugar Street to fill in some of the holes.”Bee employees Billy Albers and Scott Baggett joined Proctor to install all of the plants. Bob McCarthy of Roxbury, the owner of Artistic Irrigation, installed a water system to ensure the future growth of both the grass and the plants.The second landmark feature when many people think of The Pleasance is a gazebo in the main part of the property on the western corner of Main Street and Sugar Street. The gazebo offers a place to enjoy lunch, gather for small meetings, or have photographs taken.The property’s original gazebo came from The Barn Yard in Brookfield. Losito Electrical Contractors wired the gazebo and lights around the fountain.Pathways from the gazebo take visitors through a manicured garden; past sculptures that include a 600-pound cast iron turtle, an equally oversize rooster, and a life-size man (“Steve”) with a collection of five life-size dogs of myriad breeds; and past the antique cast iron fountain that launched the project.As former Newtown Bee Editor Curtiss Clark wrote in a February 2017 editorial: “It has been a joy through the seasons for thousands of drivers — and pedestrians — passing by. An array of perennials and annuals that border the route is nurtured through the seasons, providing a burst of color to be appreciated while waiting for the traffic light to change. Shrubs and trees — including dawn redwoods, a rare deciduous conifer that was the contemporary of dinosaurs and only rediscovered in the 1940s — march from Main Street to the police driveway, shielding those within the parklike space of The Pleasance from the noise and busyness of the intersection and shielding those in idling cars from having to view the aesthetically challenged Town Hall South building.”Western ExpansionThe Pleasance expanded during summer 2001, when the area on the west side of the property sprouted a new wooden flagpole, stone paths, and a few pleasant places to sit.The additions came only after months of careful pruning and attention paid to weeds, wild rose bushes and brush in that section of The Pleasance. For months the new portion was mowed, and with each cutting the area was increased.After nearly 20 trips to the landfill with brush and dead trees, new willow trees were planted along the border of wetland and topsoil was installed. Several specimen trees were planted in the area, including three Leprechaun ash trees, a Harry Lauder Walking Stick, flowering plum trees, and a magnolia.Paul Miles of Elm Glade Landscaping volunteered his time and machine to help that transition happen.“In excavating the path buried treasures were found, including several pieces of side molding, oil filters, a muffler, part of a steering column, and even a complete engine block,” Scudder Smith wrote in November 2001 (“Down The Pleasance Path”). “With a little more excavation, perhaps an entire car could have been assembled.”The Bunny GardenThat second area also includes The Bunny Garden, a children’s garden complete with sculptures of five rabbits and one farmer, benches, and a playhouse for children to enjoy.Officially opened in 2007, The Bunny Garden and its inhabitants are based on the characters imagined by Beatrix Potter for her very classic children’s book The Tale of Peter Rabbit. A scene from the tale of a mischievous Peter Rabbit was brought to life in the children’s area within The Pleasance when Helen and Scudder Smith commissioned Ken Memoli to create its inhabitants.A tool shed along the northern edge of The Pleasance has a fenced-in garden to its south, where a sculpture very much resembling Mr McGregor can be found. The farmer is on his knees, presumably planting young cabbages like his literary counterpart.The farmer is looking to his right, where he has spotted a very naughty Peter Rabbit, who has just pulled up three beautiful carrots.To the west of this scene, a second outbuilding was also installed years ago. This is the Bunny House, and it is large enough for a few small children — or one very agile adult — to fit into. A Dutch door welcomes children into the play space, which holds a few child-size pieces of furniture, and dolls and toys that are swapped out once they become weathered.Mother Rabbit stands outside the house, to the right of the door. One of her children — Flopsy, Mopsy or Cottontail — is to the left of the door. The other two young rabbits can be found along nearby pathways.The four figures are gazing toward the activity in the farmer’s nearby fenced-in garden. The bunnies and farmer were resin-fortified, cast cement statues, according to a July 2007 Newtown Bee feature announcing their arrival and inviting families to find them.Did You Know…*Ridgefield resident Jerry Wilson worked part-time at The Pleasance in its early years. An expert in Adirondack material and gardening, he was called by some nurserymen “a walking encyclopedia” when it came to knowing and caring for plants, shrubs, and trees. He died suddenly in September 2009, while taking part in the Antiques Show & Sale at The Adirondack Museum.A memorial plaque honoring Wilson was installed at The Pleasance on a rock near the Fiske fountain in July 2010. The plaque was mounted on a rock to the right of the fountain, courtesy of Ned Steinmetz of Brown’s Monument Works in Monroe.*In 2011, after a pine tree had reached the end of its life, property owners R. Scudder and Helen Smith decided they did not want to simply chop down and remove the tree. Instead, the couple began building a collection of birdhouses to the tree. Seventeen birdhouses, each decorated by Mrs Smith, were placed on the remaining branches of the tree in the northwest section of the property.*For many years, the Pleasance was filled ahead of Newtown High School’s prom, when dozens of young adults and their parents would visit the picturesque location for pre-event photos.*One of the bridges has been used by Girl Scout Brownie troops for their Bridging Ceremony (moving girls from Brownie to Girl Scout stage), and it is a popular location for garden club events. During the week, many people meet in the gazebo for lunch.*In 2005 the bocce court at The Pleasance was the site for an official Tercentennial Bocce Competition*C.H. Booth Library presented a few seasons of its Summer Concert Series at 1 Main Street.“It looked like a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting, with kids playing, couples strolling, and an interested and recumbent crowd sprawled on blankets and on lawn chairs across the grass listening to music,” this newspaper’s editorial celebrated in June 2004 following the first concert there. That scene, as well as previous “weddings, the small parties, the preprom photo sessions, and all the other mini celebrations that bloom like the surrounding gardens on summer days, and the scene is exactly as we envisioned when we first thought to put a park on the site of an old service station.”*The Bunny House was one of nine locations contestants needed to visit during the inaugural Newtown Youth & Family Services Holiday Festival Scavenger Hunt. Twenty-two teams competed on Sunday afternoon in December 2020 to win five one-day hopper tickets to Disney World.Team 6/The Kinsey family was the winner of The Road to Disney Scavenger Hunt.*The park is home to two of 26 black steel benches installed around town in 2016, one for each victim of 12/14. The Pleasance proudly hosts the benches celebrating Charlotte Bacon and Ben Wheeler. Both were installed near The Bunny House. The full series of benches was gifted to Newtown by Mark Sigrist of Columbus, Ohio.*The property was included at least once on Newtown Historical Society’s House & Garden Tour, in July 2014.*For a few years, The Pleasance served as the meeting location for Newtown Juggling & Circus Arts Club. The group would meet on Saturday afternoons and welcomed anyone with an interest in juggling and other circus arts including flower sticks, poi, hoops, diabolo, and other instruments.The property also hosted the club for at least two World Juggling Day Celebration events.*The property’s original gazebo was among the casualties of the winter of 2010-11, when record setting storms led to the collapse of at least two dozen buildings in town that season. The Pleasance gazebo collapsed in February 2011. It was replaced four months later with a model from Kloter Farm.*The Dog Walker sculpture collection — a male affectionately named “Steve” by its owners and Bee Publishing Company employees, and five life-size dogs of varying breeds — was created by folk artist Stephen Huneck of St Johnsbury, Vt.Over the years The Dog Walker and some of his charges have been adorned with varying hats and other headgear.Steve’s owners appreciate finding fashions left for Steve and/or any of his five canines, but they do ask one favor: keep the donations soft. Nothing scratchy on the metal, which has damaged the painted artwork in the past.*With a large American flag as a backdrop, The Pleasance was among the locations to host an observance in September 2002 on the first anniversary of 9/11.*The Pleasance is available for private and public functions. Reservations are requested to avoid conflicts, and can be made by calling 203-426-3141.=====Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.ABCs of Newtown -- P is for Pleasance Shannon Hicks
Story P Is For PleasanceABCs of Newtown -- P is for PleasanceFeatured Slider, FeaturesNone
Learn To Become A Sanctuary Of Peace At Sticks And Stones FarmLove Has A Home at Sticks and Stones Farm will host Sheikha Maryam Kabeer and Ahamad Muhaiyaddeen (Jonathon Granoff) for two days as they demonstrate how to find peace within oneself.Love Has a Home will host “Unite in the Light: Become a Sanctuary of Peace” with keynote speakers Sufi Mystic Sheikha Maryam Kabeer and Ahamad Muhaiyaddeen (Jonathon Granoff) on Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28.Over the two days, Kabeer and Muhaiyaddeen will host meditations and open conversations about finding peace within at the scenic Sticks and Stones Farm, 197 Huntingtown Road. They will be joined by Bruce Nichols, a Dharma teacher, and Mark Romano, a naturopathic physician.The farm is home to a few organizations, one of them being Love Has a Home, the sponsor of this event. The tickets are by donation, and those donations help Love Has a Home continue to bring these enlightening events to the community.Rev Bill Donaldson, founder of Love Has a Home, said, “[we] just want to make it very accessible. It’s bring your own lunch, so we’re keeping the cost down, not charging for anything.”Though the event is being presented by spiritual leaders, it is not focused on religion. The event is about “the ability to have the connection [to others] … I’m looking forward to hearing from our speakers, their experiences and wisdom that they’re accumulated over a lifetime of spiritual seeking [and] bringing all these lessons to us. I think there’s going to be a lot of gems that we can take with us,” Donaldson shared.“My hope is that people leave [the event] a little bit, you know, more light … like a higher vibration … and then they take it out into the world,” Donaldson explained.“Unite in the Light: Become a Sanctuary of Peace” will run from 10 am-5 pm on Saturday, and 10 am-3 pm on Sunday. For more information and to register for the event, go to sticksandstonesfarm.com/events/unite-in-the-light-become-a-sanctuary-of-peace. =====Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.Unite in the Light: Become a Sanctuary of Peace Sam Cross
Story Learn To Become A Sanctuary Of Peace At Sticks And Stones FarmUnite in the Light: Become a Sanctuary of PeaceFeatures, ReligionNone
9U Hawks Had Tremendous Run In Regional Tournament Hawks reached championship round and battled to some impressive victories.The 9U Hawks battled hard during the New England Regional Tournament, held in New Canaan in mid July — hitting in big runs, coming back after being down multiple runs, waiting out rain and thunder delays, and playing six days straight. The Hawks went all the way to the championship game and earned a runner-up finish in their age group.Coach Mark Skura’s motto “win the inning” was a common theme and as things unfolded it was proven multiple times that the game can be flipped in a single inning. Support from the town, parents, and players helped contribute to the success of the team. Members of the Hawks are Austin Rekos, Brayden Andrews, Chase Pacuk, Jack Briante, Jack Fregoe, Jacob Steeves, James Otis, Joseph Dogali, Joseph Skura, Luke Dobson, Maverick Levy, and Parker Esposito.Game results are as follows:Newtown 8, Rhode Island 3: In the first game of pool play, Newtown defeated the Rhode Island State Champion, Washington Park. The Hawks made the score 3-1 in the bottom of the first after Jacob Steeves lined out, scoring one run, and Jack Fregoe singled, scoring two runs. Brayden Andrews led the offense with two runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-4 on the day. Brayden Andrews, Maverick Levy, and Jacob Steeves each collected two hits and Joseph Dogali had one hit. Joseph Skura had three of his team’s six walks. Brayden Andrews, Parker Esposito, Maverick Levy, Austin Rekos and Joseph Dogali each stole multiple bases as the Hawks piled up 13 steals. Jacob earned the win; the starting pitcher surrendered five hits and one run over five innings, striking out four, and walking one. Chase Pacuk appeared in relief.Eastern Mass Champ Free-Lake MA 11, Newtown 6: Brayden Andrews, Parker Esposito, and Jacob Steeves each collected two hits. In the third inning, Newtown scored five runs on five hits to take a 5-4 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Austin Rekos that drove in two. Free-Lake tied the game at five in the top of the fourth and scored six runs on five hits to take a 11-5 lead in the sixth. Newtown accumulated ten hits in the game. Austin Rekos drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Hawks with a pair of runs batted in. Maverick Levy pitched four innings in relief. The righty surrendered one hit and one run while, striking out two, and walking six. Newtown 9, New Hampshire Champ Quintown 6: Jacob Steeves drove in four runs on four hits. Jacob doubled in the fourth scoring two, singled in the first scoring one, and singled in the third scoring one. The Hawks jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after Austin Rekos doubled, scoring two runs, and Jacob Steeves drove in a run on a single. A single by Steeves extended the Newtown lead to 4-1 in the top of the third inning. Newtown scored five runs on five hits in the top of the fourth to take a 9-4 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Steeves that drove in two. Newtown racked up 13 hits in the game. Jack Fregoe, Maverick Levy, and Austin Rekos each collected multiple hits. Brayden led Newtown with three of the team’s six walks. Jacob started the game for Newtown. He surrendered eight hits and four runs over two and two-thirds innings, striking out none, and walking one. Brayden Andrews threw two and one-third innings of scoreless ball in relief. The righty gave up two hits, striking out four, and walking one.Newtown 10, Western Mass Champ Marlboro 0: In the first single-elimination game, the Hawks came up big. Newtown opened the scoring in the first after Maverick Levy grounded out to drive in one run. The Hawks added two runs in the second. Luke Dobson walked, making the score 3-0. A double by Jack Fregoe extended the lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the third inning. The Hawks scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brayden Andrews, Maverick Levy, and Chase Pacuk all had RBI singles, and Jacob Steeves drove in two on a single. Newtown amassed 11 hits. Jack Fregoe went 3-for-3 with two runs batted in. Maverick Levy collected two hits in three at bats. Austin Rekos stole three bases. Newtown turned one double play in the game. Maverick Levy began the game for Newtown. The righty allowed two hits in three scoreless innings, striking out two and walking two. Chase Pacuk pitched one inning of shutout ball in relief. The right-handed pitcher surrendered one hit.Newtown 14, New Canaan 10: In the single-elimination semifinals there were runs aplenty. Newtown and New Canaan both collected 14 hits. The Hawks came back to win despite trailing 8-2 in the second. A wild pitch gave Newtown a 2-1 lead in the top of the second before New Canaan scored seven in the bottom half of the frame. Newtown scored six runs on seven hits in the top of the fourth inning. Jack Fregoe tripled, scoring two runs, Parker Esposito and Joseph Skura each had RBI singles, and Maverick Levy drove in two more runs on a single. The Hawks scored six runs on five hits to take a 14-8 lead in the sixth. The biggest blow in the inning was a two-run double by Parker Esposito on a 0-2 count. Parker and Jack batted back-to-back in the lineup, and each drove in three runs. Maverick Levy went 3-for-4 at the plate. Brayden Andrews, Austin Rekos, and Joseph Skura each collected multiple hits. Joseph Dogali provided pinch running for the team, stealing multiple bases and scoring a run. Brayden Andrews threw one inning of scoreless ball in relief.Free-Lake 13, Newtown 12: In the regional championship, Free-Lake was down 12-11 in the bottom of the sixth inning when a double scored the tying and winning runs. Newtown had 15 hits in the game. Free-Lake jumped out to the lead with four runs in the bottom of the first. In the top of the fourth inning, Newtown took the lead after Chase Pacuk scored on a tag up, Brayden Andrews singled, Austin Rekos grounded out, and Jacob Steeves singled, each scoring one run. Free-Lake answered to tie the score. In the top of the fifth, the Hawks broke up the tie when Maverick Levy doubled, scoring two runs. A groundout by Austin Rekos extended the lead to 10-7. Newtown added to the lead but Free-Lake scored six runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth. Chase Pacuk and Joseph Skura each collected three hits. Joseph Skura led Newtown with four runs batted in as he went 3-for-4. Brayden Andrews, Parker Esposito, Jack Fregoe, and Maverick Levy each collected multiple hits. Newtown turned a double play. Chase Pacuk pitched three and one-third innings in relief. The right-handed pitcher gave up seven hits and five runs (four earned) while, striking out three, and walking four. Maverick Levy opened the game for Newtown. The righty allowed one hit and six runs over two innings, striking out two, and walking six.9U Hawks Compete In Regionals Story 9U Hawks Had Tremendous Run In Regional Tournament9U Hawks Compete In RegionalsSportsNone
Back-To-Back: 10U Hawks Ace State Tourney Test, Prepare For World Series Hawk baseball team posts 5-3 victory in championship game.Coming off a state championship last spring, Newtown’s 10U Hawks baseball team took advantage of its chance to repeat on home turf. The Hawks defeated New Canaan in the winner-take-all game after New Canaan handed Newtown its first defeat in the double-elimination Cal Ripken State Tournament at the Glander Fields Complex on July 11.“It’s been fun,” said Coach Chris Evans, adding that the championship was expected given last year’s run to the pinnacle. After breezing through the tourney and into the championship round an 8-3 setback to New Canaan, forcing a decisive game and rematch that same day did not concern Evans and company.“They’re our main competitor — always. We knew it would be a fight,” Evans said.New Canaan forced the second game behind its ace pitcher but Newtown had its top starter — Austin Luczak — ready to throw with everything on the line and Luczak shut down New Canaan through five innings as the Hawks built a commanding lead en route to a 5-3 win.Evans is pleased with the way his team works hard in practice and competes day after day. The Hawks were dominant in the early-going in state play.After an undefeated round of pool play, the Hawks began the state tournament against Easton/Redding in a revenge game from the Al Leonard tournament. Newtown got off to a lightning-fast start by batting through the order before making their first out on the way to plating nine runs in the first inning. Luczak and Filipe Costa pitched a combined two-hitter, and Newtown won 11-1 in a mercy-rule, five-inning no contest. Chris Fairbairn led the way on offense, going 2-for-3 with three runs batted in.In the second game, Newtown took on Beth-Wood (Bethany and Woodbridge) with Jackson Christos starting on the mound. Christos pitched three innings, surrendering one earned run on two hits. Luczak and Costa had three RBI each, and Hudson Levy, Hudson Matta, and Braxton Kuzma each added two RBI. Chris Evans worked four walks and scored three runs. Newtown ultimately won 16-2 after four innings.In the third game, Newtown faced their perennial arch-rival New Canaan, with ace Luczak matching up with the Rams’ ace. Luczak surrendered only two hits, but walks errors and hit batters resulted in a high pitch count and a 2-0 deficit. With a runner on third base and no outs in the top of the third inning, Jackson Christos came on in relief. On the first pitch, Luczak fielded a ground ball and threw a laser from short to home for the first out. The very next pitch resulted in a double play to end the inning and end the last real threat from the Rams as the Hawks tossed two pitches and got three outs. Christos went on to throw four innings of shutout ball, and the offense came alive to secure the win. Jacob Christos scored the first run on a close play at home, opening the offensive floodgates. Luczak and Costa had timely hits to drive in the decisive runs resulting in a 5-2 victory and a spot in the finals. Quinn Garvin scored the fifth and final run after hitting a double to deep center field that would have cleared the fence in almost any other park in the state, Newtown coaches noted.After New Canaan defeated Brookfield to advance to the finals in the double elimination tournament, the stage was set. Newtown had to win one game, or New Canaan had to win two straight for the title. New Canaan took the first game 8-3 after some uncharacteristically sloppy defensive play by Newtown, though Hudson Matta and Mason Cote managed to stem the bleeding in relief to keep spirits high.In the second game, Luczak returned to the mound to avenge his outing in the first tournament meeting between the teams. Luczak was absolutely dominant through five innings, surrendering one run on only two hits. Newtown started the scoring in the third inning when Owen Leighton hit a triple to right field. Braxton Kuzma followed with an RBI single and then later raced home on a wild pitch to put the Hawks ahead 2-0.In the sixth inning, New Canaan trailed 5-1 after a fantastic outfield snag by Hudson Levy, and runs batted in by Chris Fairbairn and Luczak. However, New Canaan led off with two hits that chased Luczak from the mound. Jackson Christos came into the game in relief and gave up one hit and another hitter reached on an error resulting in two runs. Christos then limited the Rams to weak infield contact and secured the three outs to close the game and cement another championship.The Hawks are not advancing to defend their New England regional title from last year, as they already accepted an at-large bid to the Cal Ripken World Series in Crown Point, Indiana. The team will be conducting many fundraising ventures to help with the cost of the trip to proudly represent Newtown on a national stage.“We’re looking forward to it. We have a lot of support from the town — the fans, the parents, grandparents,” Coach Evans said.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.10U State Baseball Champs Andy Hutchison
Story Back-To-Back: 10U Hawks Ace State Tourney TestAt Glander, Prepare For World Series10U State Baseball ChampsSportsNone
9U Hawks Avenges Loss To New Canaan, Wins Cal Ripken State Tournament Hawk sluggers post shutout over rivals in decisive game.The Newtown Hawks 9U baseball team won the Cal Ripken State Tournament with an impressive five-game run in the double elimination bracket in New Fairfield in early July. The championship run culminated with an 8-0 win over New Canaan as the Hawks not only avenged a loss to New Canaan in last year’s state tourney but also bounced back from a defeat to New Canaan in this year’s bracket play.Head Coach Mark Skura said that his team set the goal of winning it all back in January well before it was even close to being warm enough for the first pitch.“All of our energy throughout the winter and spring months was designed around getting better, learning who we were as a team, and dedicating our efforts to win that title. The coaches could not be more proud of the players for buying in, putting the team above themselves individually, and fighting through adversity to accomplish this lofty goal. It takes a lot from players to coaches and especially supportive families to play at this level and I’m extremely appreciative of everyone involved,” Skura said.With temperatures in the high 80s and up into the 90s not only did Mother Nature heat up but so, too, did the 9U Hawks thanks to strong all around play up and down the lineup, in the field, and on the pitcher’s mound.“State tournament pool play, as well as the state tournament itself was played during some extremely hot days this year. Our pitching depth, led by Jacob Steeves, a true workhorse, and Brayden Andrews, Maverick Levy, and Chase Pacuk was the key to our success. The boys threw strikes when it mattered most. The heat also tested starting catcher, Joey Skura, who continued to make key plays throughout the tournament and showed true leadership to the team,” Coach Skura said.“Timely hits from Brayden and Maverick as well as big time hitting performances by Austin Rekos and Parker Esposito fueled the team. Jack Frego added to the offensive firepower with his best stretch of the year when it counted most. The 9U Hawks defense was superb, with Brayden and Chase holding down the best left side of the infield in our state. Luke Dobson, a late season call-up, slotted in seamlessly to play a really good second base. Our bench support was critical in doing everything they could to support the team, always ready to go and contribute with a key hit, pinch running assignment, and overall great attitude. Special acknowledgement to the crew of Jack Briante, Joe Dogali, and James Otis. As every coach out there knows, these boys are much more valuable than they may realize,” the coach added.State Tournament game results are as follows:Hawks 11, Easton/Redding 2: Brayden Andrews collected four hits in four at bats. He doubled and singled three times. The Hawks got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Andrews doubled, Maverick Levy singled, Austin Rekos grounded out, and Parker Esposito singled, each scoring one run. The Hawks added one run in the second when Andrews singled on an 0-2 count, and added two runs in the third. Luke Dobson singled on the seventh pitch of his at bat, making the score 7-0. Newtown tallied 14 hits in the game. Chase Pacuk collected two hits in three at bats. Brayden, Maverick, Chase, Joseph Skura, and Luke each stole multiple bases among 14 stolen bases in the game. Newtown’s defense was sharp and turned a double play. Jacob Steeves surrendered six hits and two runs over four innings, striking out three and walking none. Chase Pacuk tossed two innings of shutout ball in relief, striking out three, and walking none.Hawks 5, Norwalk 0: The Hawks got on the board in the first inning. A tag up by Jack Fregoe extended the lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning. Jacob Steeves led Newtown with two hits in three at bats. Brayden Andrews, Parker Esposito, Maverick Levy, and Chase Pacuk each drove in one run. Skura had five of the team’s nine stolen bases. Brayden Andrews began the game; the right-handed pitcher gave up three hits in five shutout innings, striking out two, and walking four. Maverick Levy tossed one inning of shutout ball, striking out one, and walking two.Hawks 11, New Canaan 5: Joseph Skura drove in four runs on two hits to lead the Hawks. He doubled in the fourth inning to score two runs and singled in the fifth inning, driving in two more. The Hawks got on the board in the first inning and added one run in the third after Austin Rekos singled. New Canaan tied the game in the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth, Newtown took the lead when Skura doubled to drive in two runs. A groundout by Levy extended the lead to 5-2. Parker Esposito, Jack Fregoe, Maverick Levy, and Joseph Skura each collected two hits. Chase paced Newtown Hawks 9U Blue with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating six walks for the game. Parker, Jack, Maverick, Joseph, and Jacob each stole multiple bases among 20 steals in the game. The defense turned a double play. Jacob Steeves stepped on the mound first and gave up six hits and two runs over four innings.New Canaan 7, Hawks 4: New Canaan built a 4-0 lead in the third inning and held on. Parker Esposito, Jack Fregoe, and Austin Rekos each drove in one run. Rekos led Newtown with two hits in three at bats. Joseph Skura paced the Hawks with two walks. Austin Rekos and Jacob Steeves each stole multiple bases among the team’s eight steals.Hawks 8, New Canaan 0 (championship): The Hawks scored five runs in the fifth inning. Austin Rekos doubled to drive in two runs, Jacob Steeves singled, scoring one run, and Jack Fregoe doubled, scoring two more. The Hawks tallied 14 hits in the game. Jack Fregoe led the way with three runs batted as the left fielder went 2-for-3. Brayden Andrews went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Hawks. Parker Esposito, Maverick Levy, Austin Rekos, and Jacob Steeves each collected multiple hits. Steeves surrendered over six innings, striking out three and walking none.“The games were tough, with a lot of back and forth. We were stretched to the limit and forced to play the second game of a double-header against chief rival, New Canaan. After losing the first game, it would have been easy to go down to the team that defeated us last year in the same tournament. Not this year. The boys had a different destiny and took home the championship with a decisive 8-0 win to secure the state title,” Coach Skura said.The 9U team moved on to compete in the New England Regional Tournament and has made it through pool play as one of six teams remaining and looked to continue their run of success this week.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.9U Hawks Cal Ripken State Champs Story 9U Hawks Avenges Loss To New Canaan, Wins Cal Ripken State Tournament9U Hawks Cal Ripken State ChampsSportsNone
8U Hawks Reached State Title Game Baseball team will compete in regional tournament in Milford.The Newtown 8-year-old district baseball team fell to Stamford in the Cal Ripken State Championship game in Wolcott on July 12. Newtown battled the entire tournament playing seven games in eight days, going 5-2 during that span. Newtown had wins over host Wolcott, New Canaan, Bethel, Danbury, and Weston before falling 7-6 to a very good Stamford team in the title game. Newtown will move on to regionals in Milford with opening ceremonies beginning Friday, July 19. The team opens up with New Hampshire the next day at Bernard Field in Milford at noon.8U Baseball Runners-Up Story 8U Hawks Reached Title Game8U Baseball Runners-UpSportsNone
New Nighthawk Booster Club Getting Set To Supplement NHS Teams Hawks Nation will assist Nighthawk teams with various expenses.A new booster club, Hawks Nation — Champions of NHS Athletics, has been established for Newtown High School’s athletics programs.NHS had a booster club in place but things came apart as a result of the impact of COVID-19, according to a group of student-athlete parents who have stepped up to help ensure the many Nighthawk teams get financial support needed during upcoming seasons.The booster club is led by Executive Director and NHS Athletic Director Matt Memoli. It includes President Andy Sachs, Vice President Todd Piccuillo, Treasurer Steph O’Leary, and Secretary Krista Rekos, along with members at large T.J. Garvin, Michelle Garrity, Marybeth D’Amico, and Julie Laughlin.This is the mission of the booster club: “Hawks Nation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing all athletic programs at Newtown High School. We strive to foster school spirit, promote excellence, and provide resources to enrich athletic programs. Our passion for sports and commitment to the success of student athletes inspired us to start Hawks Nation.”Hawks Nation has three objectives: funding capital projects, coaches and teams, and raising money for scholarships. Long-term capital projects include upgrading the student fitness center and stadium lighting, and the addition of a field house at Blue & Gold Stadium. The boosters seek to provide supplemental funding for assistant coaches, equipment, training and other related items based on team needs. And the boosters are looking to award senior student-athletes with scholarships toward post-high school education.Piccuillo said the boosters’ main objective is to help out with financial needs across the board with all of the girls’ and boys’ sports. The boosters emphasized that they are not here to take over or replace existing individual team booster clubs but to add to their fundraising efforts.“We are supplemental,” Piccuillo said.There are a variety of needs teams have, from the coaching staff to uniforms the players wear on the playing surfaces.“Most of the coaches, other than head coaches, are not funded,” Piccuillo said. And then there is equipment along travel expenses, game officials, and more. “Teams have additional needs other than the assistant coach stipends,” Piccuillo added.Some teams do not have or need to replace tents to protect players or score keepers from the elements — hot sun or rain alike — and things such as banquets and Senior Night festivities, are among the team expenses that they must raise money for in order to improve on the field and step things up on the sidelines and off the field.“The (Board of Education) budget doesn’t allow for all of the teams to have everything they need,” said Garrity, noting that it is not possible for the budget to cover all costs, which is why booster clubs are so important for high school athletics.A majority of the Pay to Play money families of athletes contribute goes towards assistant coaches, officials for games, and transportation.From Blue & Gold Stadium to the back fields and a large gymnasium, some outsiders might be envious of all NHS has to offer. Sachs pointed out that while Newtown High has nice athletics facilities, upgrades are needed to keep up with many competing schools, including replacing the old Blue & Gold Stadium lights with energy-efficient lights and weight room upgrades.“Newtown has a premier athletics program. We’ve won South-West Conference Championships, we’ve won State Championships — we need the facilities to match that,” Garrity noted.Among the upgrades in recent years have been the switchover from grass to turf for one of the high school’s back fields along with replacement of the track and turf playing surface at Blue & Gold Stadium — both made possible by joint efforts between public and private funding.D’Amico noted that the booster club will have a strong tie-in with the community, connecting youth athletes in town with the high school players in the process of raising interest in supporting the high school programs.The boosters invite parents of athletes to a meeting at NHS on August 10 beginning at 7 pm.Hawks Nation will lean on support from students, parents, and advertisers. Donations may be made through the Hawks Nation website, newtownhawks.com, and there are individual and family membership and corporate/business sponsorship opportunities.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.Nighthawk Booster Club Andy Hutchison
Story New Nighthawk Booster Club Getting Set To Supplement NHS TeamsNighthawk Booster ClubSportsNone
The Newtown Municipal Art Gallery (Newtown Municipal Center main corridor), 3 Primrose Street.
Wide ranging works by artist whose rendering of an iconic cupola at Fairfield Hills has been selected as the 2024 Newtown Arts Festival signature art, weekdays to July 31.
Foran will refresh her mixed media paintings on canvas and watercolors on paper of landscapes, flowers and abstracts on a monthly basis, art is for sale, through August 31
C.H. Booth Library (meeting room), 25 Main Street.
Music educator Brad Peterson will lead children in various musical activities including finger plays, nursery rhymes, poems, songs, dances, and more, for ages 2-6 with an adult caregiver, registration required.
Tickets $4 general admission, $2.50 seniors (Senior Friday only)
Screenings of the teen musical comedy starring Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho, and Christopher Briney, released in January and rated PG-13.
C.H. Booth Library (chbMAKERS’ Corner), 25 Main Street.
Newtown High School seniors Virginia and Beatrice are hosting four board game sessions where different social deduction games will be introduced, for ages 12-17.
Tickets $4 general admission, $2.50 seniors (Senior Friday only)
Screenings of the teen musical comedy starring Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho, and Christopher Briney, released in January and rated PG-13.
Tickets $30 general admission, $100 general admission bundle
Town Players of Newtown presents performances of the serious play Amadeus that celebrates Mozart’s music and life while examining how ordinary most of us are.
Special screening of the 1993 adventure sci-fi film starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, et al, rated PG-1, continues the 2024 drive-in season behind historic building, food truck and concessions available, also July 27; edmondtownhall.org.
Biden had no choice but to resign after that debate performance he gave...the world saw what most people already knew and many denied; that he was in extreme mental decline.
The powers that be in the Democrat Party (Obama, Clintons, Pelosi, Soros et al) made him drop out...the day before he was screaming that he was all in to the finish line.
What changed over night?...The Democrats realized that he was almost certain to lose and they will do ANYTHING to stay in power, so he was forced to drop out..There was nothing noble, heroic of patriotic about it...he was coerced into dropping out.
I think the common wisdom is that it was playing dirty ball to deny Obama from the nominating process. As a result we diminished women/family choice and lost support for the Supreme Court. In the end I think it hurt the Republican Party.
