Greening Up For Earth Day

By Kendra Bobowick

Showing off their greener sides, a few Newtown residents looked ahead to an approaching Earth Day celebration in Newtown on April 28, and shared their secrets.

Conservation Commission member Marjorie Cramer made a quick list. She likes “being vegan,” she said, to decrease her carbon footprint.

Ms Cramer also composts all kitchen and household scraps. The mix creates a “lovely compost for my garden,” she said.

Her garden, by the way, is organic. She also buys organic, and buys locally.

She purchases fair trade items “whenever possible,” she said. The practice is not only green, but beneficial to the communities manufacturing the coffee, clothing, etc.

Newtown Forest Association Treasurer Guy Peterson has one daily habit that he practices both at home and on the road. He said, “I always use reusable mugs for my coffee when buying coffee, instead of using disposable paper cups — even when traveling.”

Newtown Earth Day Committee member Bill Buchler reveals the “biggest green thing” he has done: “Getting a Toyota Prius last year — and I couldn’t be happier.” He also promotes green habits at home. “My family and I are very keen on recycling — with my kids putting aside returnable bottles and cans to bring back for the five-cent refund,” he said.

Pick up other green habits this year on Saturday, April 28, between 10 am and 4 pm, outside the Newtown Middle School.

Earth Day In Newtown

According to a recent news release, Newtown’s fifth annual Earth Day Festival promises a “huge silent auction and kids’ activities, and live music performances.” Enjoy food, entertainment, and educational activities. “It’s the perfect day for helping our community become a bit more aware of being green.”

The day’s proceeds will support a green scholarship at Newtown High School. “Don’t miss out on what promises to be our best festival yet.”

Guests can wind their way through an environmental maze again this year. Constructed with bamboo and laid out on the front lawn of the middle school, the maze is a “fun-filled opportunity for kids of all ages to learn about the environment,” the flyer states. The right answers to environmental questions will lead participants in the right direction.

The event offers live music and performances from MC John Hemberger, an Earth Day Kick-Off with First Selectman Pat Llodra, Dana Greenfield singing the national anthem, John Voket’s classic acoustic tunes, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School’s String Performance, Minstrel Matt with slide guitar instrumentals, blues/folk, LITTLEseed Program with songs and movement by Michelle Wenis, Dr C the Sultan of Spine with infectious acoustic grooves to stimulate your mind, The Trolls with classic and modern rock plus originals, SunDad a father/son world fusion, new age guitar jam, Time and Again’s straight ahead rock, The Gray School of Irish Dance, The Adults with classic rock, and Cadence Carroll & Billy Burton — singer-songwriters with an old-time flair.

Take advantage of the day’s food court, or volunteer to “clean the town” with the Lions Club’s “Lose the Litter” campaign. Join friends and neighbors to clean up Newtown’s streets. Special prizes are hidden around town.

The Earth Day Committee anticipate more than 3,500 attendees and more than 50 local businesses at the Vendor Fair. Or volunteer; the committee needs helping hands with a number of projects (this counts towards students’ community service hours!). Sign-up today at NewtownEarthDay.org.