Organizers of this year’s ice cream social made the most of unfortunate timing by handing out the coupons at C.H. Booth Library on Wednesday, August 20.

The tradition is timed to coincide with the birthday of Newtown Benefactress Mary Hawley, whose funding paid for the construction of the town library named to honor her maternal grandfather.

The coupons were in place of the traditional serving of fresh Creamery ice cream, canceled this year due to ongoing HVAC work at 25 Main Street.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.