Tercentennial Off To A Rousing Start

By Larissa Lytwyn

 If last Sunday was any indication, Newtown’s 300th birthday is going be one heck of a party!

About 200 town residents strolled through the mild March sunshine to enjoy the tercentennial’s logo-unveiling opening event at Edmond Town Hall.

Many paused at the town hall’s entrance to enjoy a performance by Newtown resident Karl Stewart of the Litchfield Hills Pipe Band before ascending to the Alexandria Room.

“This is an exciting moment for us and an exciting time in history,” noted Tercentennial Commission member Mae Schmidle. “Among the things we’ll be doing during for our birthday bash is to honor our founding fathers, who paddled up the Housatonic River and found a few friendly locals — smoked a pipe — cut a deal and signed a deed—the 1705 deed which we will soon be bringing back to Newtown where it belongs!”

Brad Howe of the Curtis Packaging in Sandy Hook designed the logo, working closely with the committee to come up with a design that was simple and bold.

All those attending the unveiling presentation received a gift of a specially designed “collector’s” button with the logo in full color.

In comments at the ceremony, Ms Schmidle thanked the Tercentennial Commission, including Chairman Dan Cruson, State Rep Julia Wasserman, Cindy Simon, John Trentacosta, Newtown Bee publisher Scudder Smith, C.H. Booth Library Director Janet Woycik, Newtown Parks & Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian, Selectman Bill Brimmer, Brigitte Sorenson, John Mortocci, and Gordon Williams, for their commitment.

She also acknowledged the dedication of the Logo Committee, including Mr Smith, Margareta Kotch, Sandy Motyka, Bill Sheluck, and Frank Gavel, for their efforts in working with Mr Howe in coming up with a design.

Town Historian and Commission Chairman Dan Cruson complimented the Logo Committee for working together smoothly.

Also at the ceremony, Ms Schmidle acknowledged members of the Shepard family, who have resided in Newtown for 11 generations, arriving in Newtown in 1723. Melissa, Samantha, Timothy and Jessica Shepard, as well as cousins George and Kelly Burch, are all students at Newtown High School.

Residents were invited to include their names in a special drawing to determine who would help Ms Schmidle unveil the logo.

Ms Wasserman and Mr Brimmer drew the name of seven-year-old Tommy Catalina.

Tommy’s parents, Tom Catalina, Sr and Toni Catalina, said that Ms Schmidle had encouraged them to bring Tommy to the event so that he could include his name in the drawing.

“I am so happy and surprised!” declared Ms Catalina.

“I didn’t think I would win — it was pretty great,” said Tommy.

After his name was called, the room erupted in applause.

Grinning from ear-to-ear, Tommy hopped from his seat and climbed the stage, helping Ms Schmidle reveal the logo beneath a giant red felt sheath.

“The design depicts the flagpole and meeting house, which for many people represents the center of town,” explained Ms Wasserman.

Encircling the red, white and blue design are the words “300 Years — Newtown Tercentennial — 1705 to 2005.”

The event’s publicist, Joanne Rochman, said she was very pleased with the turnout. “It looks like a lot of families came,” she said, scanning the crowd filled with attendees of all ages.

After the logo was unveiled, the pins depicting the tercentennial’s official seal were distributed to the crowd.

Attendees also enjoyed light refreshments, arranged against a red, white and blue motif, prepared by Newtown resident Barbara O’ Connor.

Newtown residents will be seeing a lot of the tercentennial logo in the coming year and a half; the commission is in the process of planning several events for the year-long celebration in 2005. The group, however, may have to do a little more fundraising than it had anticipated. This week, Newtown’s Board of Finance removed $75,000 earmarked for tercentennial celebration preparations from the town’s budget proposal.