Tercentennial Committee Looks To Go Out With A Bang In Book Sales

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Tercentennial Steering Committee met Wednesday, November 2, at the C.H. Booth Library in a meeting generally aimed at “gearing down, and wrapping up accounting for the year,” said Chairperson Dan Cruson. Only a few tercentennial events sponsored by or sanctioned by the Tercentennial Committee remain on the calendar, as Newtown’s 300th anniversary year comes to a close.

On Saturday, November 19, Friends of Music will dedicate the 4 pm concert at Edmond Town Hall to the tercentennial. Tickets are free for Newtown residents, and available on a first come, first served basis.

Sunday, November 20, gives residents a choice of two tercentennial events from which to choose. At 10 am, the public is invited to attend a colonial service at Newtown Congregational Church at 14 West Street. Colonial dress is optional. Please meet in the front parking area before 10 am to be drummed into service. In case of inclement weather, gather beforehand in the Great Room.

At 3 pm, an ecumenical service in honor of Newtown’s 300 years will be held in St Rose Church. All clergy wishing to participate must contact the St Rose Parish at 426-1014, if they have not already done so.

The annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Ram Pasture will be held Friday, December 2, at 7 pm, with Tercentennial Committee Chairperson Dan Cruson doing the honors of lighting up the holiday tree.

That same weekend, on Sunday, December 4, the committee will celebrate Newtown’s historic families, with a showcase of pictures, artifacts, and memorabilia from local families whose roots go deep into Newtown’s past. The event will be held at the C.H. Booth Library from 11 am to 4 pm.

Last, but not least, the committee is looking forward to blockbuster sales of Newtown 2005, The Way We Are After 300 Years, an elegant collection of photos by more than 24 photographers that captured the many events of Newtown’s Tercentennial year. The coffee table book will go on sale at Lexington Gardens Saturday, November 26, for $25. Justin Scott, chairman of the publication committee for the Tercentennial Committee and editor of the book, feels the commemorative book will be not only a popular holiday gift item this year, but an ideal gift for many occasions throughout the year. “Your friends, your family, the places you know may be in the book,” he stated. “Newcomers to our town and those who have moved away will appreciate the pictorial glimpse of the village, and the book will remain of historic interest to families for years to come.”

There is a limited run of only 2,500 copies of Newtown 2005, so the committee urges anybody interested in a copy not to hesitate once the books go on sale. The committee hopes to have a point of sales set up on Main Street December 4 for purchase of the book, or in the lobby of the C.H. Booth Library that day in case of inclement weather.