Newtown Historical Society late last week announced the postponement of its special event, “Voices from the One-Room Schoolhouse: A Community Storytelling Event.”

Ahead of expected inclement weather, organizers on Friday moved the event out one week, to October 3. Due to unexpected news a few hours later, the program was postponed once more. It is now planned for Saturday, November 7.

The historical society faced an unanticipated challenge last week. In addition to the weather forcing the postponement of its event came the news that Evie Watts had died.

Watts had worked with event chair Barbara Wilson to create and organize “Voices from the One-Room Schoolhouse: A Community Storytelling Event.” Wilson repeatedly credited Watts with the idea for the event, in fact. Watts was also going to be one of the panelists during the afternoon event. An alum of Land’s End School, Watts was going to be joined by Margaret “Peg” (nee Sherman) Forbell, Gloria Ricco, and Charles Ferris, who all attended Flat Swamp School, and Mabel (Burr) Philips, who attended Huntingtown School, on the panel.

The first postponement of the storytelling event moved “Voices from the One-Room Schoolhouse” to October 3. A few hours later came the news of Watts passing away the previous day, and a subsequent announcement that her celebration of life will be conducted on October 3. As a mark of respect to Watts, her family, and friends, the historical society moved its event once more, this time to the early November date mentioned above.

The 90-minute family-friendly program will still begin at 1 pm, and will be hosted inside Middle Gate Elementary School, 7 Cold Spring Road.

The program will still feature the highly anticipated alumni panel discussion, highlighting the firsthand accounts and personal memories of Newtown residents who attended the town's historic one-room schoolhouses.

Town Historian Ben Cruson will offer comments, and an open audience Q&A session will follow the panel.

The event remains entirely free and open to the public of all ages. Donations will continue to be gratefully accepted at the door to support the Society’s preservation efforts.

For further information visit newtownhistory.org or send e-mail to info@newtownhistory.com.