NCC Welcomes New Members, Honors Others

Ten new members were welcomed into the Newtown Congregational Church Sunday morning during the worship service that also recognized the music program and graduating seniors.

Leonard Manz, organist emeritus, who has played the organ for Sunday services for more than 60 years and who donated the first piano when the new sanctuary was built, was present for the dedication of a plaque honoring him and his late wife, Shirley.

Mr Manz had dedicated the first sanctuary piano in memory of his wife with a brass “In Memory” plate. When that piano was traded to pay, in part, for the new sanctuary piano purchased last fall, the plate was removed and is now affixed beside her husband’s that reads, “In Honor of…”.

The new plaque was dedicated and will be placed somewhere near the organ that Mr Manz continues to play when the regular organist is on vacation. He will play next Sunday and says it will be his first time to really play the new piano that he, along with many other people, helped the church buy.

Mary Andreotta, choir director and soprano soloist, joined soloist Sharon Goodkowsky to sing “Prayer.” Ms Andreotta was honored along with organist Philip Crevier, who wrote the Missa Brevis selections sung by the choir. He also played the Bach postlude, “Fugue in G Minor.” Carl Lindquist, who with his guitar, often does the Children’s Message and who works with “A Gathering” of older youth, was also honored along with Gale Whitford and Carole Andrews for directing the Resolute Ringers Bell Choir.

New members are William Bethkey, Dale Mello, George and Stacey Kobrock, Dolores Angelica, and John Miller, Joseph Sheridan, and Brigitte and Herlof Sorensen.

High school graduates are Cassandra Bagaglio, Whitney Blanchard, Rachael Bolmer, Scott Chimileski, Kathryn Clyne, Teresa Dahlmeyer, Jessica Davis, Gaspar Heller, Alexandria Leuzzi, Andrew Lysaght, Kacey Miklaszewski, Daniel Phillips, Michael Terry, Jared Trillhaase, Anthony Willie, and Renee Whippie.

Choir members are Dolores and Paul Allen, Carol Benson, Sigrid Carpenter, Judy Craven, Marty Eastwood, David Evans, Kate Fellows, Carol Floss, Ilse Foster, Ms Goodkowsky, Darlene Jackson, Charlotte Kalley, Joe Kewley, Marie La Valla, Eugene Nmarks, Gertrude Nagy, Andrea and David Reinhardt, Keith and Skip Roberts, Daonals Strait, Patricia Soomaa, Ms Whiteford, and Lina Williams.