The Newtown Bee continues to receive word of cancellations and postponements in light of COVD-19. Organizers are encouraged to contact Associate Editor Shannon Hicks at shannon@thebee.com to be added to this list. Updates will be added as they are received.

**NOTE: Items with two asterisks next to them are new today.

**BOOTH LIBRARY

C.H. Booth Library staff announced on Friday, March 13, that it was postponing all scheduled programs through the end of March, including story times, lectures, book discussions, crafts, and any related or unrelated small gathering.

The library remains open and circulating items at this time, however. Materials can be renewed over the phone and online; the book drop will remain open.

“The library is here for individuals to utilize the services of the library. We only ask that people be considerate of others and if not feeling well, please be a hero and stay home,” an email blast noted.

**At 5 pm Friday, C.H. Booth Library announced it would be closing at 5 pm Saturday, March 14, "for a tentative period of two weeks. At this time it is anticipated that the library will reopen on March 30 at 9:30 am."

Library staff will report to work, to answer phones and return emails, the notice continued. The building itself will not be open to the public, however.

**CORNERSTONE MINISTRY at Newtown Congregational Church

Cornerstone, the ministry that offers clothing, housewares, books, etc at greatly reduced prices, in a thrift shop setting, announced it would be closed Friday, March 13, and then remain closed until further notice, “in the interest of public safety.”

EVERWONDER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

EverWonder Children’s Museum announced on March 13 that it will be closed to the public as of March 14, until further notice.

Special events, including the Annual Egg Scramble on April 11, will be rescheduled to a later date.

**GIRL SCOUTS OF CONNECTICUT including Girl Scouts of Newtown

Heather Smith, co-service unit manager for Girl Scouts of Newtown, has informed The Newtown Bee that Girl Scouts of Connecticut has suspended all activity and meetings beginning March 16. Cookie booths this weekend will be held at the discretion of individual troops, but remaining booths in March have been canceled.

In addition, the Newtown Service Unit Girl Scout Pinewood Derby on March 21 and All-Girl Meeting on April 6 have been postponed, Smith said.

**NEWTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER

The Community Center announced a number of schedule changes Thursday, March 12:

*All Friday, March 13, Water Aerobics classes are canceled;

*The March 29 Bunny Breakfast and Egg Dive events are postponed until further notice;

*All mass gatherings and public events have been canceled;

*All other youth and adult programs are running as normal with the following caveat: “We will continue to monitor and control group sizes and work off the school district's schedule,” NCC Director Matt Ariniello said via an e-mail blast Thursday evening;

*As of March 13, there are no restricted hours of operation. (The center is open Monday-Friday, 6 am-9 pm; Saturday, 7 am-7:30 pm; and Sunday, 7 am-7 pm; call 203-270-4349 or visit newtowncommunitycenter.org for additional information).

“In an effort to keep up with maintenance and sanitization, we may need to restrict access to the pools and programs and will be monitoring the traffic of the facility,” Mr Ariniello noted in his email.

NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue announced on March 13 that schools will be closed Monday, March 16, and remain closed until further notice.

**NEWTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Pastor Lori Miller, at Newtown United Methodist Church, announced Friday that the Church Hill Road sanctuary will be closed for the next three weekends.

Services on March 15, 22 and 29 will be streamed, the church office confirmed.

NEWTOWN SENIOR CENTER

Town of Newtown Human Resources Director Natalie Jackson announced on March 12 that Newtown Senior Center was suspending all classes, programs and tours, effective immediately and until further notice. The move, she said, was “out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 virus.

There are a few exceptions, Jackson noted. The Monday, March 16, AARP Tax Program and the Monday-Thursday Lunch Program will continue.

PARKS & RECREATION ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Newtown Parks & Recreation announced March 12 that all of its programs and activities scheduled at Newtown schools and NYA Sports & Fitness are canceled until further notice.

**On Friday, Parks & Rec extended that announcement, saying all organized sporting activities are postponed indefinitely. Scheduled field use will resume when schools reopen.

“As long as the schools remain closed fields are closed to organized activities. Spring sports will continue as planned, once schools reopen,” the department said via email blast Friday afternoon.

Playgrounds at parks are closed and pavilion rentals are now suspended, the notice added.

“Traditionally grass fields open on April 15, and we certainly hope this will be possible, however organizations should consider modified seasons should it be necessary to remain closed beyond this date,” the noticed concluded.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

“Looking To The Future with 2020 Hindsight,” a series to be presented by Friends of Newtown Seniors at Newtown Senior Center, has been postponed indefinitely.

As noted above, Water Aerobics classes at Newtown Community Center have been canceled today.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13-SUNDAY, MARCH 15

All of the March 13-15 movie screenings at Edmond Town Hall Theatre have been canceled.

March 16-19 screenings of Jumanji: The Next Level are also canceled; all movie showings are canceled as of March 13 until further notice.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

The 25th Annual St Rose Irish Cabaret has also been canceled, "in accordance with Diocesan direction to cancel non-liturgical, social events scheduled to take place in the immediate weeks ahead, especially those in which the elderly may be inclined to participate," organizers said in an e-mail Wednesday morning.

The annual event is presented by the Knights of Columbus Council 185. Ticket holders should contact the Knights of Columbus to arrange for a refund, or to have all or part of their ticket price donated to the Council’s charity At Our Gate.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

A free Irish dance lesson and open house event at Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance has been canceled.

Newtown Congregational Church pastors announced on March 12 that there will be no “community gathered worship” in the 14 West Street Sanctuary for at least the next two weeks (March 15 and March 22).

"However, [NCC Minister of Youth & Mission] Kristen [Provost-Switzer] and I will be live-streaming a worship service at 10 am on these Sundays," Senior Pastor Matt Crebbin said via an email blast. The church also plans to offer links "via email and other online resources afterwards so that any and all can still worship," he added.

Contact the church office at 203-426-9024 or newcong@sbcglobal.net for a link to the streaming service.

**Newtown Historical Society announced on Friday that, "In respect for concerns of public gatherings at this time," it was cancelling this month's open house.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

The Town of Newtown announced Wednesday morning that, "out of an abundance of caution for our residents," the March 16 Fairfield Hills Forum has been canceled.

"Alternative arrangements are being planned and will be announced as soon as possible," the notice added. Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting is still on, as of March 11, "for regular board business; Fairfield Hills will not be discussed," the noticed continued.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19-SUNDAY, MARCH 22

The Newtown High School Drama Department spring musical production of Pippin, scheduled for March 19-22, has been postponed to the weekend of April 30-May 3.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

As mentioned above, the Diocese of Bridgeport has directed that all non-liturgical events involving crowds of 100 or more are to be canceled. As a result, the March 20 Friday Night Bingo at St Rose of Lima has been canceled.

The next two Friday Knight Fish Fry events — Fridays, March 20 and 27 — will be presented as take-out events only. Diners can choose from entrees of fried or baked fish, fish tacos, BBQ shrimp po’ boys, or eggplant parmesan, with sides including french fries, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, and clam chowder, and a soft drink.

Dinners are $10 for adults, $6 for children, and the menu remains the same.

Details concerning the final 2020 Friday Knight Fish Fry, planned for April 10, will be announced.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

The Girl Scouts of Newtown’s Pinewood Derby scheduled for today has been postponed, according to Girl Scouts of Newtown Co-Service Unit Manager Heather Smith.

The Flagpole Radio Cafe with special guest Peter Yarrow has been postponed, Executive Producer Martin Blanco has confirmed to The Newtown Bee.

"The new date is to be determined," Blanco said March 11. "Refunds will be given to everyone who already purchased tickets."

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Newtown Congregational Church will present its second live stream service from its Sanctuary. Senior Pastor Matt Crebbin and Minister of Youth & Formation Kristen Provost Switzer will be at the church; all others are asked to remain at home or another location.

Contact the church office at 203-426-9024 or newcong@sbcglobal.net for a link to the streaming service.

“Gershwin & Friends,” a concert planned at Congregation Adath Israel, has been canceled.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24

The Garden Club of Newtown 65th Anniversary Luncheon & Program has been postponed to Tuesday, June 9.

In an email to their members that they also shared with The Newtown Bee, Co-Presidents Peggy Jepsen and Kerri Williams said that in light of so many activities and gatherings in Newtown and beyond that have been canceled or postponed due to the virus, "we felt obligated to do so for the safety of everyone concerned."

Tickets from March will be honored in June, they added.

"Our committee has been working diligently to make this event a huge success, and we look forward to holding a spectacular luncheon, just a little latr than originally planned," the women said Friday morning.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

The “2020 Regional Economic Outlook Breakfast” co-hosted by Newtown Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Newtown EDC and People’s United Bank, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 17.

It will still be held at Newtown Community Center. Contact the Chamber of Commerce, 203-426-2695 or chamber@newtown-ct.com, for additional information.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

As mentioned above, the March 27 Friday Knight Fish Fry will be take-out only. See additional details under March 20.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27-SUNDAY, MARCH 29

The Newtown Bee has been notified that the Newtown Middle School production of Willy Wonka Jr, scheduled for the weekend of March 27-29, has been postponed to the weekend of April 24-26.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers on March 11 announced the postponement of the Brothers Revival concert, “in the best interest of public health for Newtown residents and the extended community in light of the coronavirus outbreak,” the board announced via a press release.

A new date will be scheduled, according to the release, but those who have purchased tickets can receive a full refund.

“All other theater/building activities, including movies, will continue as scheduled,” the release continued, “however the Board of Managers is prepared to make real time decisions as news continues to develop.”

MONDAY, APRIL 6

The Girl Scouts of Newtown’s All-Girl Meeting scheduled for today has been postponed, according to Girl Scouts of Newtown Co-Service Unit Manager Heather Smith.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

The Annual Egg Scramble at EverWonder Children’s Museum will be rescheduled to a later date, the museum announced March 13.