The old adage goes that everyone has a story to tell, and for Newtown residents in 2019, there was an abundance of tales showcasing resiliency, a love of music, and embracing new stages of life. Here are just a sampling of stories The Newtown Bee had the privilege sharing with its readers this year:

In January, Lynn Simoneau spoke about her struggle finding a community of people she could turn to after becoming disabled. As a result, she developed the Spinal Cord Injury Support Group of Greater Danbury, that launched in 2017, where she offers resources and peer mentoring.

This year, Julie Hasselberger, mother of Daniel Hasselberger, who lives with a condition called PMG, also opened up about the challenges she faces caring for a loved one with a rare medical condition. She shared how she continues to persevere for her son and she let people know how they can offer their support.

Two Sandy Hook sisters Kylie Hudak, 8, and Khloe Hudak, 7, showed the power of kindness and the importance helping others when they ran their first lemonade stand on July 11. The girls raised money for The Kennedy Center in Trumbull and brought awareness about the work the group does to support and empower people with disabilities.

Earlier this year, Bee readers learned about Robert LaPorta, owner and director of the music label MSR Classics, based in Newtown. He spoke of his company and how he continues to disprove naysayers claiming no one purchases compact discs (CDs) anymore.

WMNR Fine Arts Radio, based in Monroe, even added to that sentiment, showcasing their extensive collection of music, including more than 20,000 CDs, during a feature in the fall that highlighted its many Newtown residents who work/volunteer there.

A love of music and its power to bring people together was also touched upon in the story about Elizabeth “Liz” Reisman. She turned her passion for music into a career, owning Creative Music Center in Monroe for 15 years. While she was not a Newtown resident, her impact locally stretched past town boarders and after her passing from brain cancer on January 9, 2019, at the age of 55, her family, friends, and coworkers came together to pay tribute to her life in a feature story.

Many people came together, too, to show their appreciation for Lathrop School of Dance Director/Owner Diane Wardenburg — known affectionately by many as “Miss Diane” — this year when she announced in an April letter that she would be retiring and passing the torch of owner/director to “Miss Tamra” Saric at the end of the 67th Stardust Revue in June.

The end of an era was seen over in the Botsford section of Newtown, as well, when the Castagna family announced that after more than 40 years of business in town, the Botsford Drive-In would close its doors and serve its last jumbo dogs on November 30.

While some chapters came to a close in 2019, others were dusted off and relived, as was the case for Newtown resident and World War II veteran Edward “Eddie” Paul Hornyak. The 93-year-old was surprised on October 13 with a Quilt of Valor — created by his great-great-niece, Erica Fehers — to honor his military service. That day, he not only shared stories from his past, but that the memories he made that day will be forever cherished.