School Budget Fails For First Time Since 2013Newtown voters rejected the $88.8 million school budget at an April 23 referendum, the first time voters have rejected a budget in 10 years.For the first time since a budget failure in 2013, a budget failed to pass muster with the voters, as the education budget failed, 1,701 “no” votes to 1,194 “yes” votes.The town budget narrowly passed, 1,465 “yes” votes to 1,424 “no” votes, so the town’s budget of $48,834,506, a $1,308,366 or 2.75 percent spending increase, is official.The proposed Board of Education stood at $88,817,373, a $3,747,722 or 4.4% increase over last year. With the rejection from voters, the school budget will go back to the Legislative Council and Board of Finance to decide on a new bottom line, as well as the Board of Education for line item cuts.Legislative Council Chairman Keith Alexander said council will “convene to reconsider the proposed Board of Education budget for further adjustment.”“The Council will have to use the feedback of this referendum to assess the tax payers’ priorities,” said Alexander.On the secondary question to the education budget — If the proposed sum for the Board of Education is not approved, should the revised budget be higher? — the responses were 727 “yes” and 2,071 “no.”Superintendent of Schools Chris Melillo said that the proposed budget was “focused on maintaining staff and programs” as well as current levels of curriculum and instruction. With the failure of the school budget, Melillo said the “priority remains the same, to provide the best education and support students.”“We will try and maintain essential staff and programs, and shield them from cuts as much as we can,” said Melillo. “We will advocate for our students and make sure their educational experience is not compromised.”First Selectman Jeff Capeci said that the schools going down “by a large margin” suggests that the council and BOE have work that still needs to be done. He said the follow-up question gave the council “clear direction.”Capeci also noted that while the town passed, it was by a small margin.“We are conscious that taxpayers are feeling the pinch economically in general and from taxes,” said Capeci. “That’s the message I received.”The Bee reached out to BOE Chair Alison Plante but she did not respond before press time.A Letter to the Editor in this week’s Newtown Bee from four Republican Legislative Councilmen, Jennifer Nicoletti, Derek Pisani, John Zachos, and Ben Ruben, stated, “Newtown has not had a budget fail referendum in over a decade and we cannot take this message lightly. Affordability is not a partisan matter, and there were voters of all party affiliations who acted to send this budget back to the Council.”If both budgets had passed, voters were facing an overall budget of $137,651,879, a $5,056,088 or 3.7% spending increase. The mill rate would have increased from 26.24 to 27.24, a 1 mill or 3.82% tax increase.The Registrar of Voters reports 15.1% of Newtown’s registered voters participated in yesterday’s referendum, with 2,952 people showing up at Newtown Middle School to vote and another 47 turning in absentee ballots.In 2023, Newtown saw increased participation at its April budget vote with a turnout of approximately 8.8 percent, the first year of increased participation after years of waning participation, especially following the COVID pandemic. In 2022, participation was only 7.7 percent; in 2021, the turnout was 8.98 percent; in 2020, there was no budget referendum due to the pandemic; in 2019, turnout was 17 percent; in 2018, turnout was 15.7 percent; and in 2017, turnout was 19.9 percent.This year’s participation close to doubled the participation in 2023, but the results seem indicative of discontent with the proposed budget after years of relative apathy.The Board of Finance was expected to at least discuss the referendum results at its April 25 meeting, and the Legislative Council next meets on May 1. The Board of Education next meets on May 7.=====Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.School Budget Fails For First Time Since 2013 Jim Taylor
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Referendum Results: Split DecisionIn short: the town budget passed and the education budget failed during the April 23 referendum.In short: the town budget passed and the education budget failed during the April 23 referendum.The Registrar of Voters reports 15.1% of Newtown’s registered voters participated in yesterday’s referendum, with 2,952 people showing up at Newtown Middle School to vote and another 47 turning in absentee ballots.At the end of the day, 1,465 Yes votes were received for the $48,834,506 municipal budget vs 1,424 No votes.On the education side, with voters deciding on a proposed $88,817,373 budget the final numbers were 1,701 No and 1,194 Yes.On the secondary question to the education budget — If the proposed sum for the Board of Education is not approved, should the revised budget be higher? — the responses were 727 Yes and 2,071 No.See this week’s Newtown Bee print edition for additional details.=====Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.WEB referendum results Shannon Hicks
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Referendum At Midpoint: 5% Turnout ReportedAt the midway point of today’s referendum, 998 of Newtown’s 19,148 registered voters had visited Newtown Middle School to cast their four-question ballot.At the midway point of today’s referendum, 998 of Newtown’s 19,148 registered voters had visited Newtown Middle School to cast their four-question ballot. That represents 5% of the town’s voters appearing in person as of 1 pm.Voters are deciding the fate of a proposed $48,834,506 Board of Selectmen/municipal budget. That figure, approved by the Board of Finance in February, represents a $1,308,366 or 2.75% spending increase.The referendum also includes the proposed Board of Education budget. Following the Board of Finance’s review in February, the BOE proposal is $88,817,373, a $3,747,722 or 4.4% increase over last year.Voters also have secondary questions for each proposed budget: If the proposed sum for the Board of Selectmen/Board of Education (respectively) is not approved, should the revised budget be higher.The polling location opened at 6 am and will remain open until 8 pm. All voting is being conducted in the gymnasium of Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street.The Office of the Registrar of Voters received 46 absentee ballots, which will be opened and counted after the close of polls at 8.Read more here: Council Approves Board Of Education Budget Without Cuts On Split Vote=====Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.WEB referendum midday reminder Shannon Hicks
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NFA Appeals IWC Decision At Castle Hill
The Newtown Forest Association is looking to appeal the Inland Wetlands Commission's decision on 20-60 Castle Hill Road.Newtown Forest Association (NFA) is appealing the decision made by Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) to approve the proposed 117-unit housing development at 20 and 60 Castle Hill Road.The appeal is based on the anticipated impact the current proposal will have on our nearby Nettleton Preserve and is founded on the findings presented during the public hearing portion of the IWC process.Trent McCann, executive director of Newtown Forest Association, said the current building proposal does not fully address the stormwater runoff that will originate on the property and ultimately find its way downhill into the Nettleton Preserve. Calculations estimate as much as 90,000 gallons of water can be diverted into Nettleton during a single rain event.The Nettleton Preserve is protected open space featuring a mixture of forest, meadow, and wetland habitats that are home to a variety of native biodiversity, including the New England cottontails. Additionally, Nettleton is home to a memorial orchard overlooking historic Main Street. Runoff will not only alter the balance of these diverse ecosystems but will deposit substantial amounts of sediment and heavy metals into the fragile wetlands.“We do not find this to be acceptable,” said McCann. “It is not our goal to stop this housing development from being built, but to make sure that any and all development is done responsibly. The NFA’s mission is to protect our preserves, and as such we are appealing to improve the stormwater management, which we do not feel the applicant has sufficiently addressed. The Nettleton Preserve is an iconic centerpiece of life in Newtown and the NFA will do everything in our power to protect it.”Inland Wetlands Commission narrowly approved the 117 single-family home development at 20-60 Castle Hill Road in a 4-3 vote during its March 27 meeting.The site is located on 136 acres, with the preserved portion including all of the land surrounding Taunton Lake. The development will also consist of a community center and other associated site improvements.Developer George Trudell told the public last year that the proposed homes will be built on roughly 40 acres of the 132 acre property, with none of the homes located on roughly 75 acres nearest the lake. All 112 homes will be clustered together, with roughly 25 to 50 feet between them.The specific regulation they will be using is 4.05.1, which allows residential open space developments. The homes will be clustered in one area of the development to maximize the open space surrounding it and would be a “multi-generational” development with homes between 1,800 and over 3,000 square feet. There will be large setbacks around the homes from the surrounding roads.Trudell said the homes would fit the architectural style of the surrounding borough.The development will have pickleball courts, a pool, a clubhouse, and a one-acre green, among other amenities available to residents.Trudell noted that the plan to develop the western end of the property in a cluster and leave the area near the lake untouched has been responded to favorably by the neighbors and Borough officials.The Newtown Bee reached out to Trudell on April 17 for comment on the NFA’s appeal, and Trudell said the NFA was a “good organization” and he was hoping to work with the organization to “work out” their concerns.“I reached out to the NFA and we are working closely with them to work out any concerns,” said Trudell. “We’re both looking guys, we’ll work out whatever we need to do.”Chris Gardner, senior burgess on the Borough of Newtown’s Board of Burgesses, said the borough is in “wait and see mode.” The borough’s zoning commission was going to take up the Castle Hill application tonight, but Gardner believes they won’t be able to while the appeal is in progress.“We’ll take things as they come,” said Gardner.Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.NFA Appeals IWC Decision at Castle Hill Jim Taylor
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Top Of The MountainNewtown news and notes, told from the point of view of a cat named Mountain. Hug a tree today! If anyone gives you an odd look let me know, because April 26 is Arbor Day and we should hug trees for everything they do for us.If you’d like to hug baby trees, be sure to visit the Newtown Lions Club area at Saturday’s Newtown Earth Day Festival. Club members will be handing out four different types of saplings. They’ll be among the multiple vendors and local organizations celebrating all thing green and environmentally friendly during the annual event returning to the front lawn of Newtown Middle School on Queen Street. Organizers have arranged a full lineup of entertainment, local car dealers and enthusiasts will show examples of 21st Century green vehicles that offer tax breaks and other benefits, and proceeds will again go toward a scholarship for a Newtown High School graduate interested in environmental or ecological studies. Check our calendar, in print and online, for hours and other details.It’s been a minute or two, but this week we have our latest Good Egg Award. This time the honor goes to a young man at Newtown Middle School who recently coordinated a fundraiser that raised just over $75 for FAITH Food Pantry. Sue Shpunt may have whispered some of the details to me this week. She was still so thrilled to see a young person take the initiative for something “so important to so many people,” she said. “I’m still so touched. He took the time to talk to his principal, get permission for his idea, and did this special thing just to help others.” He didn’t want to share his name, she said, but she wanted to do something to let him know that his kindness will not be forgotten. I agree: this young man is definitely a Good Egg!If you’d like to help FAITH Food Pantry, there are many ways to do so. The pantry itself is located in the standalone building south of the Knights of Columbus building and the rectory on the St Rose of Lima campus at 46 Church Hill Road. Donations are accepted Tuesday mornings between 9:30-11:30 am and Thursdays between 3:30-6 pm. Drive-Thru Food Drives are conducted the first Saturday of each month (which means the next one will be May 4) from 10 am until noon. Nonperishables, cleaning and personal hygiene products, and even pet supplies are always welcome. Financial donations can be done at any time in person and online through newtownfoodpantry.org. The website also lists current needs if you’d like to really plan ahead. There is an Amazon Wish List also set up through the website. Finally, there are still a few copies of The Silver Bridge is Silver Again (But Somebody Tore Down Bill’s Hotdog Stand) available at our office. Shirley Ferris published her memoir late last year, and every penny of the $20 cover price is going to FAITH Food Pantry.If you’re on the other side of the spectrum — if you’re among those in town who need a hand putting food on your table — visit the FFP website. Full details are there, as is a phone number if you’d like to speak with someone at the pantry. They make things as easy and discreet as possible, I promise.I saw St Rose School students and teachers walking across Church Hill Road on Monday, visiting Holy Cow Ice Cream for their annual spring visit. That means one more thing is approaching: the final St Rose Bingo Night of the 2023-2024 academic school year. The season finale is planned for Friday, May 3. Bingo fun and cash prizes, along with raffle giveaways and concessions will take place in the Msgr Weiss Gathering Hall at 40 Church Hill Road. Cost is $20 per person, $1 for each special game, and full details are available in our calendars.You know I’m a sucker for anything with a bumble bee on it. Someone must have known I’d be walking past these adorable painted rocks (see photo) when they planted them recently just outside Newtown Senior Center. How could I not take a photo and share it with you?The calendar changes next week from April to May. Looking toward Mental Health Awareness Month, NewSylum Brewing Company and NYFS Mental Health Awareness are again collaborating on a fundraiser now in its third year. The month is a time to shine a light on an essential aspect of well-being that often hides in the shadows. In May, however, readers who are 21 and older are invited to visit the brewery at 36 Keating Farms Avenue in May, and order one of the local brewery’s favorites, Therapy Session. All profits from the purchase of the hazy New England-style pale ale will go to NYFS, a leading mental health and youth services agency that serves the greater Newtown area. The collaborative effort has done well its first two years. Organizers are hoping to do just as well if not better this year. Let’s see if we can help with that.The Annual Daniel Barden Mudfest will celebrate its tenth year of mud, mayhem, and merriment next weekend in Deansboro, N.Y. A decade ago, race co-founders Dan and Melissa Williams organized Mudfest as a way of honoring the memory of Daniel Barden, one of the first grade children killed on 12/14. Daniel was a kind and gentle child who touched the hearts of everyone he met. In the years since, Mudfest has made over $440,000 in charitable contributions to many organizations such as Sandy Hook Promise and other local nonprofits. Officially dubbed “The Boilermaker’s Dirty Little Brother,” Mudfest is a rough-and-tumble mud run obstacle course that offers something for everyone: timed 5-mile run and timed 5K obstacle course options for competitive runners, an untimed 5K course for the less competitive runners, and even a Kids’ Fun Run for ages 5-11. The event returning Saturday, May 4, will also offer brand new offerings: The Highland Games, an exhilarating exhibition of strength at noon; and The Farmers Carry at 1:30 pm. After all that, participants and spectators will find Central New York’s biggest barn party with food, drinks and music. All proceeds this year will benefit Sandy Hook Promise, the nonprofit founded in the wake of 12/14 with a mission to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities through proven programs and sensible, bipartisan school and gun safety legislation. Athletes, volunteers and sponsors are all welcome to join. Visit bardenmudfest.org for full details.It felt like April Fool’s Day was happening all over again on Monday, when a Frost Advisory was issued for parts of southern Connecticut, northeast New Jersey and southeast New York. The plants around The Bee office all did well. I hope everyone reading this was able to protect their plants, either with covers or getting them inside until it warmed up again.Right now it feels like this time last week all over again. This is where I tell you I hope you have a good week and you promise to come back next week to … read me again.Top Of The Mountain Story Top Of The MountainTop Of The Mountain_291FeaturesNone
From Newtown High School To The Big Screen: Barrett DeYoung Is On A Filmmaking JourneyBarrett DeYoung is a 24-year-old filmmaker with an appetite for ambitious projects.Barrett DeYoung is a 24-year-old filmmaker with an appetite for ambitious projects.Currently living in Los Angeles, the Newtown High School graduate got his first exposure to drama and the arts right here in town through his early acting experiences. He shared that he still considers himself a Newtown citizen at heart in many ways.“I did all the theater here,” he said. “I did Newtown High School shows. I did a Newtown Middle School show when I went there. I did [Sabrina’s Encore Productions] shows at Edmond Town Hall and the Ridgefield Playhouse. That’s pretty much where all my friends here came from.”After studying acting at Pace University, he decided to start experimenting with stand-up comedy.“It helped me get over my fears,” he explained. “You know, anything creative is pretty scary. Whatever your worst fears are will happen!”Besides developing his stage resiliency, however, DeYoung’s experience as a comedian had an even more transformative impact on his career trajectory. According to him, it was as a comic that he first began to engage seriously with the creative work of writing — which would go on to become the new center of his artistic endeavors.DeYoung described himself as becoming “obsessed” with the writing process as his education progressed, opting to write his own scenes for acting class.It was in 2023 when he and his partner Benjamin J. Young released their first short film, Rest from the Edge, which was recognized at two Academy Award-qualifying film festivals: New York Shorts International Film Festival and Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, where it achieved semifinalist status.“The title, shockingly enough, was kind of the last thing to come,” he shared. “I had written a script and fell in love with it, but couldn’t think of a name for it. I guess the title pretty much comes from how it’s about two people who meet while they’re each at the end of their rope. They meet at the worst moment of their life, coincidentally.“They kind of have this break from all the crap they’re going through with each other. So they get a rest when they’re at the edge of their rope,” he explained.Unusually long for a short film, the final product boasts an impressive 32 minutes in length. Interested readers can view the film itself at Young’s YouTube channel, titled simply “Benjamin J. Young”.Fascinatingly, the film production process actually presented DeYoung with an opportunity to reconnect with his roots. He told The Newtown Bee that Rest from the Edge was filmed right here in town.Local readers watching the film might find the location of the characters’ meeting spot strangely familiar.“It was the bridge down from the dog park near Fairfield Hills, across the road,” said DeYoung.He noted that filming in Newtown was a much more friendly experience than what he has grown accustomed to in Los Angeles.“The cops actually came because we were on a bridge at like four in the morning,” he recalled. “We were like, ‘Hey, we’re filming something here!’ And they were like, ‘Oh, cool, just call ahead next time and let us know.’ The town was so supportive.”All in all, DeYoung describes his experience of bringing his script to life as a powerful learning opportunity that reinforced his sense of confidence as a creator.“It sort of taught us how to work together, and that we could work together with some money,” he remarked.Setting his sights on the future, though, DeYoung is now in the process of assembling a team to create his first ever feature film, alongside partners who also happen to be former Newtown residents including cinematographer Aidan Petershack, composer Lindsay Dievert, and actor Aidan Moulder.“It’s been incredibly cathartic and cool,” he shared, “but it’s a big step. It’s a lot harder. It’s a big cast.”He described his team as currently in the midst of a fundraising process, with around half of the projected budget of approximately $120,000 presently accounted for.DeYoung did emphasize that “we’re going to make it work no matter what.”In addition to fundraising, another major challenge confronted by DeYoung and his team is finding a location to film. The team is currently in the process of scouting bar locations in which the entire duration of the film-to-be will take place, according to him.Nonetheless, the aspiring filmmaker remains steadfast in his resolve to see the project through and produce something unique.“It will happen,” he said, “one, because the people I work with are incredible; two, because we work hard, and if there was an earthquake and all financing fell through, I’d shoot it in my garage.”Curious readers can get in touch with DeYoung via email at barrett.deyoung@happymansproductions.com or visit the team’s website at happymansproductions.com.=====Reporter Owen Tanzer can be reached at owen@thebee.com.Barrett DeYoung student film project Owen Tanzer
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Snapshot: Chris GardnerThis week's Snapshot introduces readers to Chris Gardner. Family: My wife Kath; our son Andrew, who is now 22, and daughter Caroline, 19. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in May and is now living in Boston, where he’s an accountant. Caroline is also at the University of New Hampshire, where she’s a freshman in the nursing school.Pets: We have a cat, Teddy. He’s 2½ and still very playful.How long have you lived in Newtown? I was born and raised here. I went away to college, then my wife and I came back and bought our house here in 1998. I’m a townie, which I’m proud to say.Career: I work at Yale University. My title is Director of Communications for the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. I do a lot of science writing and media outreach to national and international publications for our faculty. I also do our social media, a newsletter every month, and a calendar every week. It’s a lot, but I love it.Are you part of any local organizations? I’m on the Legislative Council, representing District 1, which is cool — it’s the district I grew up in. It’s a great part of Newtown. I’m in my second term. I was on the Board of Finance before that. I’m also a Senior Burgess for the Borough of Newtown, which is a lot of fun. I’m Keeper of the Flagpole. I’m also just became a member of Newtown Lions Club. I’m really excited about that. They do a lot of good stuff in the community, and I’m already helping with communications and the Mustang Raffle.What do you like to do with your free time? Any time I can be outdoors is a good day. Kath and I love to hike as often as we can. I walk every day, even in the rain and snow. If there is a Red Sox game on, I will be watching that. I’m also a rabid fan of the New Jersey Devils. We also love to just hang out with our friends and spend time with them.Who is your favorite author? John Grisham. I read The Firm between the junior and senior year in college, and just couldn’t put it down. I don’t have a lot of time to read — like everyone else — but when I do, I’ll pick up a John Grisham book. I also like David Baldacci, who writes some really fun stuff. I do so much heavy duty science writing, anything I can read that’s just fun, non-fiction, just keep turning pages. Nothing heavy. Favorite book?The Firm, because that brought me into the world of Grisham and inspired me to keep reading his stuff. Thank goodness he’s kept writing all these years too because when I finish one he’s always got a new one out. I love going to The Friends of Booth Library Book Sale in the summer and seeing which one I need and which one I can give back. I’ve definitely made good use of the book sale.Who or what has been the greatest influence on your life? My wife. She is the nicest, hardest working person that I know, and she truly puts herself last when it comes to anything in her life. She is always looking out for others and that is really selfless and very inspiring to me. I really do draw inspiration from her.If you could spend the day with one person, living or deceased, who would you choose and why? My mother. She passed away four years ago, from cancer, kind of sudden, and I would just love to be able to spend a day not only with me, but her entire family — her seven grandchildren, my brother, my sister, their wives and husbands — just so we can all be together one last time and update her on what we’ve been up to. I really miss her. We might even invite my dad so he can buy dinner. (laughs)What is the most recent movie you’ve seen in the theater?Oppenheimer, at Edmond Town Hall. It was long but definitely a must-see.Favorite actor and/or movie genre? I love comedy. I have to go back to Chevy Chase, and the whole Vacation movie series. National Lampoon’s Vacation is my all-time favorite. I can quote the entire movie.Favorite music genre and/or artist? Classic rock, and I’ve got two favorite artists: James Taylor and AC/DC. But I enjoy everything in between.What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? This goes back to my journalism days, and this came from my grandfather, who was a newspaper editor for his entire career: Every story matters to someone, no matter how big or small it is. I think you can apply that to just about every facet of your life. When someone is talking to you, now matter how important you think it is to yourself, it’s obviously important to them. Let people speak and don’t just hear them. Listen closely.Pet Peeves? It just happened to me. When I pull out of my street onto Route 25 and someone comes up Route 25 going 1,000 miles an hour, and while I’m trying to speed up, gets right on my tail and starts flashing their lights, as if I could see them coming from around the bend where I live. That drives me crazy. It has to do with excess speed in this town.Favorite color? Blue.What is something you cannot live without? My phone. Unfortunately, it’s become Mission Control in my life, between texting, family and friends, quick reference, I use it a lot for work, so I can’t live without it. I hate to say it but I think we’ve all become very dependent upon them. That, and chocolate chip cookies.What is your proudest accomplishment? Raising two kind, respectful, and hard-working children.What is your favorite travel destination? Aruba.What is your favorite part about Newtown? That big flagpole. Obviously I feel strongly connected to it, given what I do as Keeper of the Flagpole, but there’s nothing like driving on Main Street, coming from the Brookfield side. There’s no other color that you can see, especially the time of year when everything is gray and black, and white, but you look at that flagpole and you see that red, white and blue waving in the wind … no matter how many times I pass that, it always makes me smile and brightens my day. I love looking at that when I’m coming down the hill. What would you like to see covered in The Newtown Bee? That’s a hard one because The Bee does such an amazing job covering our community. It’s a treasure that should not be taken for granted. Maybe some more personality features, getting to know our neighbors a little more. Do you have a personal credo? Treat people like you want to be treated yourself. If everyone was just a little bit nicer to one another, the world would be a much happier place.snapshot -- Chris Gardner Story snapshot -- Chris Gardnersnapshot -- Chris GardnerFeaturesNone
Dozens Enjoy Recitations Of Original Works During Poetry Walk ReceptionPoetry was in the air at the Booth Library “Poetry Walk” reception. Poetry was in the air at the Booth Library “Poetry Walk” reception celebrated April 7. Approximately 75 people gathered in the library’s meeting room for the Sunday afternoon program that offered the contributors an opportunity to recite their submitted works and share their passion for poetry with attendees.The event was presented in conjunction with National Poetry Month and the installation of “Poetry Walk” signs at the Fairfield Hills Campus. The signs display the poems written by the local poets.More than 100 poems were submitted for review, with 42 selected for the signs along the Poetry Walk. The remaining poems are currently on display at the library.Throughout the month, visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour of the picturesque Fairfield Hills landscape, embellished with an array of poems thoughtfully displayed on signs. The immersive experience invites reflection and connection with nature, as well as the written word, providing a perfect backdrop to the verses that have been selected to resonate with a diverse audience.The Poetry Walk, according to a press release from the library ahead of the reception, “is designed to be an inspiring journey, encouraging participants to explore the beauty of both poetry and the surroundings.”The project was founded by the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library.A detailed map of the poem locations is available on the library’s website (chboothlibrary.org), ensuring visitors can fully engage with the unique literary display.Booth Library Poetry Walk reception recap Story Dozens Enjoy Recitations Of Original WorksDuring Poetry Walk ReceptionBooth Library Poetry Walk reception recapFeatured Slider, FeaturesNone
Donations For Newtown Lions Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive Help Fight Hunger
Residents donated pre-bagged groceries to help fight hunger for the Newtown Lions Second Annual Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive held on Saturday, April 6 at Stop & Shop in Sand Hill Plaza.Residents donated pre-bagged groceries to help fight hunger for the Newtown Lions Second Annual Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive held on Saturday, April 6. The event was held at Stop & Shop in Sand Hill Plaza with cooperation from the US Army 411th Civil Affairs Battalion.Lions and Leos had set up stands on both ends of the store encouraging shoppers to make a donation to help combat hunger and food insecurity.At each stand were various pre-sorted grocery bags filled with items such as mac and cheese, pasta, and hearty soup that people could take to check-out and buy.The US Army Reserves 411th Civil Affairs Battalion then packed all the purchased bags into boxes and unloaded the truck at the end of the day.Donations from the event supported four Fairfield County food pantries: FAITH Food Pantry and Hospitality Hall Pantry in Newtown, alongside Daily Bread Food Pantry in Danbury and Bridgeport Rescue Mission in Bridgeport.Lions member Arnie Berman, who is also on the Lions Hunger Committee, was thrilled to do his part to support the community.“Food insecurity means that you have to decide between paying your utility bill or buying a bag of groceries,” Berman said. “And unfortunately challenges like that are common everywhere, including in the state of Connecticut where it’s estimated that nearly one out of ten people are food insecure.”Fighting against hunger has always been one of the main initiatives of the Lions, alongside establishing early vision screening and raising awareness about diabetes, environmental issues, and childhood cancer.To that end, the Lions hold events such as the Stuff-A-Truck food drive to support those in the community who need their help.“The problem [with food insecurity] is so big that there are times where it’s tempting to just curse the darkness, but we’re trying to light a candle on the whole problem by holding events like this,” Berman said. “Seeing so many people show up in force today has just been really incredible.”For more information on the Lions and their future endeavors, visit newtownlions.org.Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.Local Food Donations For Newtown Lions Stuff-A-Truck Event Help Fight Hunge Jenna Visca
Story Donations For Newtown Lions Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive Help Fight HungerLocal Food Donations For Newtown Lions Stuff-A-Truck Event Help Fight HungeFeatured Slider, FeaturesNone
Boys’ Volleyball Team Enjoys Success On The Court NHS squad keeps winning ways going against Brookfield and Xavier of Middletown.Newtown High School’s boys’ volleyball team maintained its winning ways when the Nighthawks topped visiting Brookfield 3-0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-8) in its home opener on April 17. The Nighthawks excelled in some facets of the game while continuing to show improvement in others.“I think our serve was pretty good. Our free ball offense is starting to come together,” Head Coach Ardi Kodzodziku said.Newtown’s passing game was also strong and set up some seemingly easy points. “Without the passing you can’t get big swings and the bounce balls we got today,” added the coach, referring to hard hits in which the ball is not returned and bounces off the court or hands of opponents and out of play.Against Brookfield, Charlie Hanson compiled 15 kills, seven digs, and a trio of blocks; Nate Twitchell had 12 kills, three digs, and one block; and Eli Sullivan racked up 11 digs to go along with two aces. A. J. Zatulskis had three kills, Warner Bacon five kills, Max McCarthy logged three blocks, and Matt Tomaj recorded four digs and 33 assists.After winning game one with relative ease the Nighthawks found themselves behind 5-1 to start the second set. The Hawks battled back to take a 7-6 lead only to see the Bobcats go in front 12-7 and 15-8. Newtown went on a 6-0 run highlighted by Twitchell’s cross-court, front-corner placement kill, a Hanson smash down the middle, Sullivan’s service point, and a combined effort block for a point by Zatulskis and Bacon. The Hawks were within a point at 15-14.The teams traded points before Hanson’s block and subsequent kill off contact gave the Hawks an 18-17 lead. Hanson followed that up with another kill and Bacon scored a point to give Newtown a 20-17 lead. Brookfield trailed just 21-19 but saw the Hawks close out on a 4-0 run which included McCarthy and Bacon combining on a block and a strong serve by Tomaj which led to Zatulskis finding an opening just inside the back line to end the set.Newtown had its way in game three, jumping out to a 9-1 lead and never looking back. Twitchell’s kill made it 3-1 and he held serve for and extended run of points aided by a pair of aces that sandwiched a service point. Hanson also had key hits during the early-set pull-away.After the Bobcats clawed a bit to get within eight at 15-7 the Hawks finished strong with a 10-1 run. Sullivan’s ace pushed Newtown’s lead to 20-7 and Zatulskis followed with a booming hit for a point. Twitchell had two consecutive kills, the second a nicely-placed hit just inside the back line, to cap the scoring and clinch the win.The Nighthawks, following a 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-19) home win over Xavier of Middletown on April 22, improved to 6-3 overall. Twitchell had 14 kills, 12 digs, and three blocks; Hanson had ten kills and a trio of blocks; Bacon logged four kills and five blocks; Tomaj recorded ten digs and 35 assists; Zatulskis had seven digs and four aces; and McCarthy added two digs and two kills.Kodzodziku likes what he is seeing, especially given the players needed to make some positional adjustments. Kodzodziku noted that he has eight players who are club-level middle hitters and some have had to switch to the outside and right side hitter positions.“It’s starting to come together. They’re running with it very well. They’re a very coachable group,” Kodzodziku said after the Brookfield match. “It’s so fun — really good group.”Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.NHS Boys Volleyball Andy Hutchison
Story Boys’ Volleyball Team Enjoys Success On The CourtNHS Boys Volleyball_36Featured Slider, SportsNone
Hawks Play Long Ball And Small Ball For Dramatic Win Versus Bethel Home run and walk-off finish make for exciting game against Wildcats.There are a variety of ways to score in any sport but perhaps no more differing options can be found in a game other than baseball. Case in point: Newtown High School’s 2-1 walk-off victory over visiting Bethel on April 17.Sure, the Nighthawks only scored twice but the way in which the two runs came across home plate could not have differed any more than they did. Catcher Hayden Conklin hit a game-tying home run and got to round the bases at his leisure when the ball cleared the fence in left field in the fourth inning. “He’s been hitting the ball very well the last couple games and he hit a bomb right there — that was huge,” Newtown Coach Ian Thoesen said.Then there was the decisive run, which came about without the ball ever leaving the infield. First baseman Jack Carta took one for the team; he was hit by a pitch to start the improbable rally. Pinch runner Travis Rekos stole second base with two outs. Then pinch hitter JoJo Meriano hit a smash that deflected off the short stop’s glove and rolled just far enough away for the speedy Rekos to sprint all the way around to score ahead of the throw home.Newtown and Bethel met for the second time in less than a week and the Nighthawks came from behind to come out on top in both contests (winning 7-3 at Bethel on April 11).“I’m very proud of the team,” Thoesen said following the 2-1 win, which was completed just before a light rain began to intensify. “It was a good team effort.”Especially considering a pinch runner and pinch hitter came off the bench to make the difference. Thoesen said he tells his players they always have to be ready and there is no telling when they might be the difference-maker on a given day.“That’s what we instill. Everybody’s got to do their part,” the coach added. “We’re learning to compete. We’ve just got to play our game.”Putting the ball in play, pitchers throwing strikes, and fielders making at least the routine plays will add up to success, Thoesen said.Pitcher Dhilan Amin was outstanding on the mound, striking out 11 batters, walking one, and scattering five hits in seven innings with his four-seam and two-seam fast balls, curve, and changeup all working. Amin scattered a handful of hits and also showed off his athleticism when he got to a back-spin infield blooper that went over his head and made a play to narrowly throw out the batter running to first base.“It feels amazing to get a home win in a conference game. We really stepped up when we needed to. Everybody knew what they needed to do when they got to the plate — everybody knew the job they had,” Amin said.Newtown saw its three-game winning streak halted by visiting Joel Barlow of Redding in another pitching duel and 2-1 outcome on April 19. Newtown scored in the second inning and Barlow plated runs in the third and fifth. Ryan Schmid had two walks and a run driven in and Yarema Stasyshyn walked and scored. Evan Nikolis had the only Newtown hit and also pitched well in relief; Nikolis pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, scattering three hits, walking one, and striking out five. Jamie Piccuillo struck out the side and walked one in a scoreless inning of work. Danny Leyva was solid in 3.1 innings, allowing two runs, but just one earned, giving up five hits, allowing a walk, and fanning one batter.The Hawks fell 11-2 to visiting New Fairfield on April 22 but looked to bounce back with games Wednesday at Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport and home Friday, April 26, versus Immaculate of Danbury at 4:15 pm.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.NHS Baseball Andy Hutchison
Story Hawks Play Long Ball And Small Ball For Dramatic Win Versus BethelNHS Baseball_140SportsNone
Hitting Is Contagious: Softball Team Erupts For Nine-Run Inning In Blowout Victory Hawks use nine-run frame to seal victory then pile up nine more runs in another win.Held scoreless through three innings and leading just 3-0 in the fourth, the Newtown High School softball team put its hitting shoes on to the tune of a nine-run rally in the fifth on the way to an improbable 12-0, run-rule victory over visiting Bethel on April 17. The game was called because of the mercy rule in which teams with a 12-run lead are declared the winner once the opponent has been retired in the fifth inning.Bethel appeared poised to push this game into the sixth and then some, despite the Newtown power surge starting with back-to-back home runs in the fourth. Maddie Thoesen and Bri Pellicone both cleared the fence to get the scoring started. Sophia Caruso followed with a single and was bunted into scoring position by Lila Accousti. Caitlin Milks followed with a run-scoring single to make it 3-0 Nighthawks.In the fifth, Julia Berry led off with a walk. Two outs later and the Wildcats never would have guessed they would get run-ruled. But Newtown strung together hit after hit, and a couple of errors mixed in resulted in the scoring outburst. Caruso had a run batted in on single through the third-base hole to make it 4-0. Gabby Ansman followed with an RBI hit down the left field line. Accousti reached on an infield single that scored a run. Reyha Litke blooped a two-run single to center to make it 8-0, and the Hawks kept pouring it on.Berry, the leadoff batter, had three hits, an RBI, and two runs scored; Cordova was 3-for-4 with three RBI, and two runs scored; Pellicone and Caruso both had two hits, an RBI, and two runs scored; and Rachael Casagrande had one of Newtown’s 15 hits and scored a run. Ansman and Cordova both doubled and Berry had a stolen base.“Once we start hitting it repeats itself,” Pellicone said.“I think hitting is just contagious. When one person starts hitting everyone else feeds off it,” Newtown Assistant Coach Christina Wolf-Gallo said. “That inning is an example of what we’re capable of as a team when we’re hitting.”The homers by Thoesen and Pellicone allowed everybody to relax a bit after a tight few innings were put in the books by both starting pitchers. Newtown gave regular starter Thoesen a break and turned to Addy Cordova who pitched four solid frames, allowing two hits, two walks, and struck out a pair. Reyha Litke entered the game with Newtown still leading 3-0 and pitched a hitless, one-walk, two-strikeout frame.“They complemented each other very well today,” Wolf-Gallo said of the Nighthawk pitchers.Newtown followed up its nine-run inning game with a 9-0 win, beating visiting New Fairfield behind a 15-hit effort on April 22.Pellicone went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double; Cordova went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, and an RBI; Thoesen drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to right to score Berry; Caruso an RBI single and sacrifice bunt that scored a run; Ansman went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, and RBI; Accousti went 2-for-3 with a pair of solid singles; Casagrande had a two-run single and walk; and Litke and Elena Burdo recorded RBI singles. Pellicone and Accousti both stole bases.Thoesen pitched two innings and had two strikeouts; Cordova pitched three innings and recorded four strikeouts; and Litke tossed two innings and recorded one strikeout. The three pitchers combined to allow only three hits.“In addition to hitting, our defense was solid. Addy Cordova had a great day at short, making some great plays before going into pitch. Bri Pellicone and Caitlin Milks worked together to make some great saves in the middle of the infield, and Sarah Hubner ended the game with a double play,” Head Coach Megan Goyda said.The Hawks will host Immaculate of Danbury Friday, April 26, at 4 pm.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.NHS Softball Andy Hutchison
Story Hitting Is Contagious: Softball Team Erupts For Nine-Run Inning In Blowout VictoryNHS Softball_159SportsNone
Hawk Laxmen Topple Immaculate Mustangs Nighthawks shake off loss to Rebels with dominating effort before tough clash against Barlow.Newtown High School’s boys’ lacrosse team rebounded from an 8-4 loss at New Fairfield on April 18 with a 14-2 triumph at Immaculate of Danbury two days later.In the win over the Mustangs Nick Stockwell scored three times and had an assist; Charlie Massett had two goals and an assist; John Meade and Billy Massett both scored twice; Marcus Gerace logged a goal and three assists; Andrew Bradley recorded a goal and an assist; Kyle Ruddy, Cole Stockwell, and Marty Dunn had a goal apiece; and Sean Reilly had two assists.Ruddy, Fisher Stites, and J.J. Haddick all had four ground ball scoops; and Cole Stockwell, Nick Stockwell, Gavin Doyle, Owen Sullivan, Bradley, and Charlie Massett all had two ground balls.The Nighthawks had a tough matchup at home against Joel Barlow of Redding on April 23 and fell 10-2.Newtown, following Thursday’s visit to Bunnell-Stratford, will go to Trumbull High for a nonconference tilt on Saturday, April 27 at noon. The Hawks return home Tuesday April 30 at 6 pm for another matchup with an FCIAC squad as Danbury visits the turf back field at Newtown High.NHS Boys Lacrosse Story Hawk Laxmen Topple Immaculate MustangsNHS Boys Lacrosse_128SportsNone
Tennis Teams Earn Victories NHS girls and boys compete against Bunnell of Stratford and Immaculate of Danbury.Newtown High School’s girls’ and boys’ tennis teams defeated Bunnell of Stratford on April 22.The girls won 7-0 on the road. In singles play, Sophia Dutsar won 6-3, 6-0; Eren Weiss won 1-6, 6-4, 6-2; Jamie Rowan came out on top 6-1, 6-1; and Maria Souza won 7-6, 6-2. In doubles action Margaret Donovan and Ella Morits were victorious 6-0, 6-0; Ella Musen and Katie Jarvis won 6-1, 6-1; and Molly Tinkler and Sydney Bruno won 6-2, 6-1.Newtown’s boys hosted Bunnell at Treadwell Park and also won 7-0. Bunnell had only four players so all of the doubles matches were won via forfeit. AJ Singh, Frankie Cannizzo, Aarav Shetty, and Carter Briggs all won 6-0, 6-0.In a match at Immaculate of Danbury on April 23 the NHS girls fell 5-2. The No. 1 doubles tandem of Donovan and Morits won 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 and the No. 2 doubles team of Musen and Bruno prevailed 6-2, 6-4.NHS Tennis Story Tennis Teams Earn VictoriesNHS Tennis_54SportsNone
Self-guided tour with paved path embellished with an array of poems by local writers displayed on signs, observing National Poetry Month, presented by C.H. Booth Library, full map of path and poetry locations available online (chboothlibrary.org); 203-426-4533.
C.H. Booth Library (John Angel Art Alcove, third floor), 25 Main Street
Third exhibition of works by the Newtown resident and right-handed carpenter who suffered a stroke one year ago, and has since taught himself how to paint and do wood burning with his left hand, through April 29; 203-426-4533.
A national traveling exhibit that focuses on exoplanets and space exploration, learn about exoplanets and NASA’s search for habitable planets through hands-on, multimedia kiosks and activities spread throughout all three floors of the library, through late May; 203-426-4533.
Annual exhibition hosted by The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown featuring original works in watercolor, acrylic, pastel, graphics, mixed media, printmaking and sculpture, on view to May 24; scanart.org.
Music educator Brad Peterson will lead children in various musical activities including finger plays, nursery rhymes, poems, songs, dances, and more, for children ages 2-6 with an adult caregiver, registration required; 203-426-4533.
Interactive session will encourage experimenting with different strategies to collectively devise policies for preventing climate overheating, highlighting the diversity of potential solutions, registration required; 203-270-4310.
UPDATE: This concert has been postponed; new date TBA
Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street
$25 suggested donation
Performance of Beethoven’s long-celebrated orchestral work by Orchestra Nexus and Nexus Choral Artists conducted by Maestro Eric Dale Knapp, with guest soloists soprano Catherine Spitzer, mezzo-soprano Teresa Buchholz, tenor Taylor Comstock, and bass-baritone John Green, all proceeds to benefit Trinity Church’s Little Pantry (on-site offering of emergency food to neighbors at all hours); getintouch@orchestranexus.org, orchestranexus.org.
