A Successful House And Garden Tour

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Newtown Historical Society, I would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to all who helped make our tenth annual Historic House and Garden Tour a record breaking success. It was so gratifying to see such an outpouring of community spirit; and it was such a compliment to the people of Newtown to see such polite and cordial ticket holders. Homeowners were outstanding in the preparation of homes and gardens and they worked relentlessly to prepare for the tour and share their beautiful properties with us.

We extend a very warm thank you to the homeowners — Mr and Mrs Harvey Pessin, Mr and Mrs Frank LaPak, Mr and Mrs Robert Geckle, Mr and Mrs Mark Belanger, Mr Gary Zemola, Drs Martin and Micheline Williams, Mr and Mrs Sandy Neiman and Dr Brian Silverlieb — for being so gracious and allowing us to be guests in their homes and gardens. Without their support this tour would not have been possible.

Again, thank you to tour guides — Mary Antey, Khris and Bob Atwood, Sherri Baggett, Patsy Beddoe-Stephens, Pat Benkovich, Judy Bolduc, Barbara Bonacci, Lauren Borruso, Francesca Braden, Margaret Clark, Kay Cochrane, Nancy Crevier, Ernestine Dillon, Cheryl and Bill Edelen, Alice Ferigno, Tucker Frey, Judy Fuller, Peggy Gross, Janet Hovious, Marie and David Johnson, Sheila Johnston, Linda and Lindsay Jones, Patrick Keating, Ann Krane, Peter Kraus, Cindi Kromberg, Bonnie Miller, Deborah Lopes-Moreno, Lore Moreno, Christopher Murphy, Sally O’Neill, Gloria Ricco, Helen and Becky Rodia, Marjorie Rogers, Marianne Scanlon, Celia Song, Mona Steele, Caroline Stokes, Mary and Lyndon Thomas, Connie Urso, Marie Walker, Josephine Watkins, Kim Weber, Rose West, Lina Williams, Stephanie Winkler, Sophie Wiss, Lois Kuhlmann, Laurie Wrabel, Joanne Zang, Eleanor Zolov, Freida Zoon and anyone I might have forgotten. A very special thank you to Paula Stephan who coordinated and scheduled the tour guides. Paula is an outstanding lady who devoted hours of service to this Historical Society fundraiser; her efforts are most appreciated.

Another big thank you to the Garden Club of Newtown and Marcia Cavanaugh for coordinating members who made the exquisite flower arrangements in each home. Thanks to Deb Osborne, Paula Stephan, Margaret Clark, Joan Bergquist, Beth Caldwell-Cluff, Freida Zoon and Mona Steele.

Also — thank you to Cathy Masi, of Flagpole Realty, who has sponsored the printing of the brochure for the last ten years. Thanks to Ginnie Carey who assisted with publicity; The Drug Center for supplying the balloons for each property; Shannon Hicks at The Newtown Bee for her editorial and research assistance; Mary Fellows at The Little Green Barn for supporting our advertising and selling tickets and, of course, the wonderful staff at C.H. Booth Library for selling tickets for the last ten years. And Gordon Williams, Dan Cruson, Elin Hayes in addition to friends and neighbors who filled in history details — without each of you, this fundraiser would not have been possible.

Again, The Newtown Historical Society appreciates your efforts. All proceeds from the Historic House and Garden Tour go toward the maintenance of the Matthew Curtiss House/Museum and the educational programs of the Historical Society.

Many thanks to everyone —

Sincerely,

Jo-Ann Scebold

House and Garden Tour Chairperson

Whitewood Road, Newtown                                            July 20, 2004