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‘Color Our World With Hope’ Filled Newtown With Music, Meaning, And Community Impact

Published: May 09, 2026 8:00 am

On Saturday, May 2, Families United in Newtown (FUN) hosted its 14th Annual Benefit Concert and Dinner at Newtown Congregational Church, emceed by Jay Thomas. The sanctuary was transformed into a vibrant celebration of music, color, and love as more than 200 guests gathered for Color Our World with Hope — a presentation blending artistry with advocacy by musical directors Hafez Taghavi and Madelyn Aug. Over the course of a 90-minute performance, 46 musicians and six dancers — some seasoned professionals, others proudly on the autism spectrum — shared the stage in a collaboration that was as inspiring as it was musically exceptional. Together, they delivered a powerful reminder that music and dance can transcend barriers and bring people together.

Students from Newtown High School contributed $1,000 to the event’s fundraising efforts. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, donations, and a combination of a raffle, silent auction, and live auction, the event successfully met its ambitious goal of $15,000. Proceeds will directly support the groundbreaking brain research of Dr Margaret Bauman at Autism Research Foundation.

A highlight of the afternoon was a special virtual performance by Jodi DiPiazza, widely known for her unforgettable appearance alongside Katy Perry and for performing at previous FUN concerts. Now a graduate of Rollins College with a focus in composition, DiPiazza shared her original song “At the End of the Rainbow,” offering a deeply personal and uplifting moment that resonated throughout the church.

The concert’s repertoire paid joyful tribute to the 1970s, featuring crowd favorites such as “Make Me Smile” and “Feeling Stronger Every Day” by Chicago. There was a dynamic horn section, too, which brought a rich and vibrant energy to the performance. The program was visually enchanting, with rainbow lighting and whimsical cloud décor.

Following the concert, guests gathered in the church’s Great Room for a celebratory reception with more music by FUN’s DJ, Christopher Samson, and enjoyed food from Nick’s Catering, as well as homemade items from FUN family members.

“This event truly took an army,” organizers shared. “From musicians, dancers, and volunteers to sponsors and families, every person played a part. Together, we didn’t just meet a goal — we created something meaningful, something hopeful, and something that will continue to make a difference.”

Attendees felt that Color Our World with Hope was more than a concert — it was a testament to what a community can achieve when it comes together with purpose, compassion, and heart.

To learn more or support this mission, please visit familiesunitedinnewtown.org and click on the “Donate” tab. Every contribution helps make a lasting impact.

Dancers from Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice participated in the concert, too. —Bee Photos, Glass

On May 2, Families United in Newtown (FUN) held its 14th annual benefit concert at Newtown Congregational Church to a standing room only crowd of more than 200 guests. The air was filled with music from singers and musicians, and dancers rounded out the performance, much to the delight of the guests, who gave a standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance.

Students from Newtown High School successfully raised $1,000 to support Dr Margaret Bauman’s autism research. Those there to present and receive the check were, from left, FUN Co-Founder Linda Jones, students Teddy Moxham, Stephen Singlak, Macey Arcario, and Bauman. Bauman is a brain researcher at Autism Research Foundation.

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Well that is some spin. The Democrats have a super majority on the LC and passed the Education Budget without serious consideration of if the voters could afford the multi million dollar increase. "Was the request justified?" rather than "is this needed?" and "can the voters shoulder yet another large increase?" The voters rightly sent it back. Then for some reason all the discussion around reductions to the increase seemed to be coming from the classroom, rather than administration and overhead costs. Is this a coercive tactic to manipulate parents into supporting the budget like tacit threat of cutting freshman sports was two years ago? Who believes the Democrats did not caucus privately before the meeting and came in with a number already worked out? This is the Dems budget, they own it.

Education Cuts: Who Voted For What

I think it is important that we do not villainize every black box seen around a home, business, farm, or municipal property. A black exterior station does not always mean rat poison is being used. These stations can hold a number of different products, including monitoring blocks, snap traps, non-toxic bait, anti-tick bait stations, organic salt- or cornmeal-based control products, and newer fertility-control approaches intended to reduce rodent populations without traditional poisons. The better conversation, in my opinion, is not simply “black boxes are bad,” but rather: what is inside them, who is maintaining them, and whether the rodent issue is being managed responsibly. Exclusion, sanitation, trapping, habitat reduction, and careful monitoring should all be part of a responsible IPM strategy. To be fair, on my own property I do use rodenticides, including Bromethalin and Bromadiolone, in secured bait stations. But that is a choice I make for my property, based on my circumstances and the risk I am trying to manage. I also believe property owners should understand the tradeoffs and be encouraged to use the least harmful effective method whenever possible. I support protecting Newtown’s wildlife. I also support giving residents accurate information and not assuming that every black box represents reckless or unsafe pest control. The goal should be responsible rodent management, not fear of the box itself.

Discusses Policy Against Rodenticides

Debora, thank you! I accidentally doubled the project prices by adding the bond to the appropriation. Thank you so much for catching that and pointing it out. With the corrected numbers, the voters approved a combined $1.32 million for a salt shed ($600k) and library pavement ($720k), while rejecting the $1.12 million replacement turf. Regarding the 80s, I truly respect the hurdle of 14% mortgage rates. My point is simply that the math has shifted: in 1980, while the rates were higher, the price of a home relative to earnings was significantly lower. We are facing a different, but equally crushing, financial wall. Ultimately, it is disheartening that voters who recognized safe sidewalks and parking lots as essential, dismissed a playing field in the exact same condition. The turf has passed its life cycle and is just as much of a liability as the library’s pavement, the only difference is that this safety concern affects thousands of children who, coincidentally, cannot vote. These are apples-to-apples needs. I was hopeful our community would agree that all Newtown residents deserve safe conditions, regardless of which facility they utilize. Again, I would be remiss not to mention that when 82% of residents don’t show up, we have to deal with the interests of those who did. Hopefully, the next referendum will have a bigger turnout.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Thanks for the reply. I meant the numbers you presented in your letter. I found one place where other numbers were listed: https://www.newtownbee.com/04232026/get-out-and-vote-on-the-2026-27-proposed-municipal-and-school-budgets/?q=\\\%22advisory%20questions\\\%22. In that article, the numbers were cited as: Treadwell field: $1,125,000 Library: $720,000 Salt Storage: $600,000 As one who started out in the early 80's when inflation was double digits, my 1985 mortgage rate was 14%, and child care costs were comparable (in present value), I shared your grief but never considered the voters ironic or shameful. PS. I agree college tuition is ridiculous. Thankfully, universities are offering (or considering) waiving all or most tuition for middle class families (upwards of $200,000 incomes). Hopefully, they'll also reconsider their need for those funds in the first place.

Sure! Child care costs: https://www.ffyf.org/2022/10/13/data-child-care-prices-continue-to-rise-ahead-of-midterm-elections-outpacing-inflation/ (also from 2021-2025 we had 2 children in a local daycare in Newtown and it cost us $3200 a month, so that's a number I am very familiar with) Home price / median price vs income source: https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/home-price-income-ratios Tuition increase vs inflation: https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/noting-a-decline-in-middle-class-students-colleges-provide-more-aid/ Hope this helps :)

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‘Color Our World With Hope’ Filled Newtown With Music, Meaning, And Community Impact

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