Artist Helps Make Newtownopoly Game Fundraiser A Success

By Susan Coney

Most educators and family counseling experts agree: quality time spent with your children pays off by strengthening family bonds. According to Newtown parent Linda Jones, what better way to spend quality time as a family than to play old-fashioned board games together.

Ms Jones is the volunteer organizer spearheading a fundraising project to create a Newtown version of the popular board game Monopoly to help raise money for orchestra students at Newtown High School to use toward a trip to Italy this April.

Ms Jones said she got the idea from surrounding towns such as Southbury and Woodbury who had held similar, successful fundraisers in the past. Ms Jones thought the idea of a Newtownopoly game would appeal to area residents and through lots of leg work, research, and a little bit of persuasion she enlisted the help of former Newtown resident and talented artist David Merrill to provide the cover artwork for the game.

Mr Merrill told The Bee in an interview at his home in Southbury last week that the project is a win-win situation. Mr Merrill has been working on a commissioned painting of Newtown’s Main Street on Labor Day, which is always a favorite family event, drawing huge crowds every year. When Ms Jones first approached the artist about lending a hand with the fundraising project she was privy to a tour of his studio. She caught a glimpse of the unfinished parade painting and knew immediately it would be the perfect cover for the project.

Mr Merrill contacted the person who commissioned the painting, asking if he would be willing to allow the artwork to be used on the cover. That person, who wishes to remain anonymous, granted permission to use the work.

Ms Jones stated, “When I saw the painting I knew it was very special. It is as if the energy on this painting is jumping out at you. This is Newtown; it’s the energy of the Labor Day Parade captured. It goes with the game.” She said that she was so grateful to both Mr Merrill and the lender of the painting for helping with the fundraising project. “Mr Merrill is so gracious and kind. He’s doing this for these kids because he cares,” Ms Jones said.

The painting, which is still a work in progress, features a picturesque Newtown Main Street with crowds of people enjoying the sight of the Mattatuck Drum Corp, the Newtown High School Marching Band, Newtown Hook and Ladder’s antiquated fire equipment followed by the Governor’s Horse Guard parading down the thoroughfare of town. The expansive painting is bright, cheerful and brimming with details, right down to the 13 slats in the vents in the upper portion of the Meeting House tower.

The longtime artist admitted that the piece is the most challenging, complex, and detailed painting he has ever done. Mr Merrill revealed that he always has the finished painting in his mind’s eye. “You need to feel the painting; have the desire and be motivated. You have to be disciplined. I’m really going to have to push to complete this,” he said.

The painting needs to be complete by April 1, so that a professional photographer can shoot the finished product for the cover and submit a flawless copy to the printers by April 4.

The Newtown High School orchestra and choral group will be performing in Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Venice, and Cremona during the school’s spring vacation in April. The fundraiser provides a way for the students to raise money to help defray the considerable cost of the trip.

Ms Jones said, “It gives the kids an opportunity to raise some money to help pay for the trip. Twenty-two kids signed up and are working in teams of seven to sell games and bring in advertisers. The kids get to go out and learn sales. It teaches the kids about advertising, sales, and marketing.”

Ms Jones said that Newtown Savings Bank jumped at the chance to advertise its business on the game board. She said other sponsors include The Little Green Barn, McLaughlin Vineyards, and Lexington Gardens. Advertising spots are still available, with the cost ranging from $50 to $600. A spot on the board sells for $400 and prime corner spots go for $600. A patron listing will be placed on the center of the board at a cost of $50 per line.

In addition to the attractive artwork by David Merrill gracing the cover of the Newtownopoly box, the board will hold all of the names of the Newtown businesses advertising on the board as well as a concert photograph of the orchestra that will appear on the top center portion of the game board.

Orchestra students will be having a Musical Marathon at Lexington Gardens on Saturday, March 18, where they will be playing from 11 am to 4 pm and preselling the games. A mockup version of Newtownopoly will be on display at that time.

Ms Jones said the goal is to presell 1,000 limited edition games. The cost to purchase a game is $25. Anyone wishing to purchase a Newtownopoly game must place an order by March 24. Area businesses wishing to purchase a spot to advertise on the board may do so by contacting Ms Jones at 270-9763.

Those wishing to order a game may do so by filling out the order form attached to this article or by contacting Ms Jones. All who order a game will receive a receipt as proof of purchase. Clipboards containing order forms for the game are available at Edmond Town Hall, The Little Green Barn, Newtown Savings Bank, Sandy Hook Barber Shop, Suzuki Music School, and Lexington Gardens. The games will be distributed on May 26.