To The Editor:Newtown Bees showed examples of how people can utilize change for the better. First, much appreciation goes to the Memorial Commission, which has the very difficult task of pleasing a wide constituency. Recognizing that some individuals were concerned about the location of the proposed memorial, the members made a minor - but extremely fruitful - change. Second, appreciation also goes out to those who are helping find a new home for the food pantry and the 12/14 Rock of Angels memorial, which have been supported by St John's Church that is unfortunately experiencing the change of closing. Third, recognition goes to the Interfaith Partnership for Refugee Resettlement, which recognizes and is responding to worldwide changes for families in need.The Newtown Bee, which was started in 1877 and still continues today as one of the dwindling number of family-owned newspapers. As noted in last week's editorial, it is not easy to implement the changes necessary to keep The Bee updated and relevant. Yet, it is these changes that allow the publication to survive and provide comprehensive local coverage.

A word by itself has a definition, an objective meaning without influencing any personal feelings or opinions. The word "change," for example, denotes how something is altering - not in a positive or negative way. It is only with a word's connotation, or emotional association, that it takes on an additional idea or emotion.

Living through many changes in my lifetime from low-tech manufacturing to high-tech computerization and communication, and from inequality to civil and women's rights in the 1960s, to the most recent LGBTQ rulings, I saw and personally experienced how difficult change can be. Humans typically find status quo much less difficult to handle. Today, the connotation of the word "change" by many people makes them believe they can speak openly about their fear, animosity, and hatred against others with dissimilar backgrounds. I understand that the world is becoming very different than in the past, particularly for specific populations and groups of people. They are afraid of losing their status and control. This does not give them the right to demean and slander others of varying cultures, ethnicities, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. As G.K. Chesterton once said, "The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth, which means leaving things inside us."

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Lastly, congratulations to

Sharon L. Cohen

8 Eden Hill Road, Newtown       August 1, 2016