As 11:30 am crept closer, when formal ceremonies were set to begin, cash registers grew quiet, pencils slowed, and Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia reached for the TV volume; no one wanted to miss President Obama’s words. Thirty minutes later came his voice: “Every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms…”

He soon noted the country’s immediate fears, “Our nation is at war,” he said, “Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet…”

He also had words of hope. “The challenges we face are real … they will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.”

Along with the rest of the nation Tuesday, people in Newtown tuned in for the ceremony, the incoming president’s first address to the nation, and weighed the historic turning point in the United States as an African American President entered the White House for the first time.

“Obviously, it’s a change,” said First Selectman Joe Borst. “It’s a defining moment.”

Tuesday was not the “Do you remember where you were when… moment,” said Town Historian Dan Cruson. “That moment was on election night. People remember where they were then.” But the daylong inaugural celebration was nevertheless a moment in time that many will never forget.

Are we on the brink of something? “Hope … I hope,” said Assistant Town Clerk Monica Duhancik. Peering at a small TV set Tuesday, Ms Duhancik was joined by Mr Borst, Ms Aurelia, and Assistant Town Clerk Ann Benore, along with several residents who had stepped into the office. The group watched and listened as President Obama spoke to a nation poised much like Ms Duhancik, huddled close to a TV or radio, work momentarily set aside.

Opinions Around Town

While many around Newtown expressed feelings of hope as bright as the day that dawned January 20, the inauguration of Barack Obama forewarned of gathering storm clouds to Kiquis Donovan, who said, “I’m disappointed in our choosing him [as President] because of where he stands on the issues of life. I always look at the person, not the party, when voting, and at what that person stands for. [Barack Obama] clearly said he would sign the Freedom of Choice Act and I think that would go against the issues of life. I’m sad about this inauguration, because we’ve gotten to the point that we’re overlooking the importance of life.”

Marie Sturdevant and Marilyn Alexander also had some reservations as the inaugural day unfolded.

“It’s historical and exciting, but I hope people remember it is very solemn and don’t get caught up in all the hoopla,” cautioned Mrs Alexander.

“He is, however, bringing a lot of promise and hope to people who haven’t had hope in awhile,” said Mrs Sturdevant, allowing that time would tell as to whether the 44th President will be all that so many hoped he would be when he was voted into office.

As the hour of the swearing-in drew closer, other residents offered their views of the country’s new leader.

“I’m very excited,” said Susan Gibney. “I think Barack Obama is a leader who can inspire and that’s what the country needs now.” Her three children, 13-year-old twins and a 10-year old, were equally excited, said Ms Gibney, and had been very involved in the campaign and election process. “We will definitely be watching the inauguration later. I’m rushing to get home to watch, as a matter of fact,” she said, as she checked out DVDs at C.H. Booth Library.

Susan Shaw was looking forward to what she expected to be an orderly, intelligent, and calm transition, “and exciting things afterward.”

“I’m very optimistic about the new regime,” Booth Library volunteer Dick Hall said Tuesday morning. “It would be nice if Barack Obama has some magical powers to make a difference. I don’t think we have had a President who has made a difference in a long time,” said Mr Hall, who planned to watch the inauguration activities at home.

The volunteers in the library’s book sorting room were extremely excited about the upcoming inauguration, with most people planning to go home and watch.

“And you know how dedicated these volunteers are,” said Friends of C.H. Booth Library volunteer Denise Kaiser. “It takes a lot to pull them away. What is so phenomenal about today is the sense of community, no matter how anyone voted. It’s so exciting for our country. It’s amazing how much change our country can absorb,” she said.

Dottie O’Byrne had a busy morning scheduled, but hoped to fit in viewing the inauguration ceremony between meetings. “It’s a very exciting time for the entire country and the whole world. We will see many small changes as well as big changes occurring during the next four years,” she predicted.

Emergency response team members Maureen Will, Chief Bill Halstead, and Donna Culbert look forward to a time of positive change, they said.

“It’s awesome, it’s history,” said Ms Will. “There’s hope and optimism.”

Chief Halstead said, “It appears [that the Obama administration] is going to be a good change for the country. They’ve got to give the guy a chance and some time, though.”

Ms Culbert added that no matter how people had voted, one of the most important things to do was to support the President. “Hopefully, all of this optimism will propel President Obama to success. We need to move out of where we are, to where we’re going.”

At 100 Church Hill

100 Church Hill owner Ray Costanzo said he heard talk about the First Lady’s dress during the inauguration coverage.

“Who’s worried about her dress? I’m worried about the stock market,” Mr Costanzo said.

 “He’s our President — we’ve got to stand behind him,” he added.

“Trying to give the guy a chance — that’s how I’m looking at it, no matter creed, color, or race,” customer Mike Sperling said. “Let’s work with him and not against him.”

 “I think he’ll be a good leader. It’s going to be a long, hard crawl up the mountain we’ve fallen down in the last eight years,” Luke Schwerin said. “I think it’s a huge step for African Americans.”

Brendan Daly, who served in the Army for five years, including a year in Afghanistan, believed John McCain was more deserving of the public’s support because of the sacrifices he made for the country while in the service. Mr Daly said he believed voters as a whole were ignorant in their choice for President, but remains hopeful that President Obama will be able to turn things around.

 “I hope he sticks to his guns and creates change. If he doesn’t produce I’ll be the first one to criticize him,” Mr Daly said. “It’s all talk, talk, talk… we’ll see what happens.”

“I think history will a little kinder to George Bush than the media the past couple of years,” Harry Morrison said.

Tinkerfield Road, South Main Street

Pete Sturges, a member of VFW Post 308 and American Legion Post 202, sat with others at the combined post on Tinkerfield Road midday Tuesday, watching a large television monitor displaying the inauguration festivities.

 “I think it’s hopefully going to be a breath of fresh air. It’s certainly a historic event, our first black President,” Mr Sturges said. “I hope he can get the economy turned around. I hope he can breathe some life back into the economy.”

Of the war in Iraq, Mr Sturges said, “I’d love to see a decent resolution of it. I hope he can keep the terrorist threat in check.”

Debra Sturges, an auxiliary member of VFW Post 308, said, “I wish him all the best. He’s got a lot of work. I hope he can pull us through. I really do.”

VFW member Ray Vescey proudly noted that his grandson Derek Watson, who plays trumpet in the Trumbull High School Marching Band, was marching in the inaugural parade in Washington, D.C. Mr Vescey said Derek will remember the inaugural parade for the rest of his life.

Nearby, it was almost business as usual at the One-Eyed Pig on Main Street South. Replacing a sports game on the large-screen television was the flood of people along the National Mall. Taking an early lunch break was a crew from The Taunton Press who cracked peanuts and waited for a pizza delivery. The main course, however, was the noontime Presidential swearing-in ceremony.

Sharon Anderson was sporting a special T-shirt for the occasion, one that announced “Democrats Are Sexy.” She and her co-workers were clear about their politics, “Oh yes, we’re [Obama] supporters,” they all agreed. Seated side-by-side and staring up at the television were Michael Stoltz, Victoria North, Erika Foreman, Nicole Smith, Steve Lombardi, and Ms Anderson.

On A Historic Note

In a presidential campaign that saw one woman and one African American break new political ground, Town Historian Dan Cruson explained, “Social change is usually slow, but this was fast.”

By fast, he offered a comparison to the decades of the Civil Rights Movements in this country to the most recent Presidential campaign, which also saw the first female contender for the office of Vice President make it to the Election Day ballot.

“It was a prescient moment when [Dr Martin Luther King, Jr] said we would see an African American President. People thought he was hopelessly optimistic,” said Mr Cruson. But more than 50 years since Civil Rights activism planted its seeds in the 1950s, the country elected Barack Obama to the Oval Office.

“The speed is mind boggling,” he said. “The uniqueness … the inauguration of an African American, that’s extraordinary, it’s trend-setting.”

Staff writers Kendra Bobowick, Nancy Crevier, Andrew Gorosko and Andy Hutchison contributed to this story. See additional stories related to Inauguration Day in this issue.