Cultural Events

A Decade Of Light & Love At Trinity: Tenth Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge In The Works

Published: Oct 24, 2025 12:00 am

This year marks ten years of light, love, and community on the lawn of Trinity Church as parishioners celebrate their tenth annual presentation of The Great Pumpkin Challenge, a beloved tradition that brings Main Street to life with the warm glow of carved pumpkins.

The youth of Trinity Church invite all to be part of the special milestone. Carved pumpkins can be dropped off in front of the church at 36 Main Street starting Sunday, October 26, and continuing through Halloween. The growing display will be lit up Halloween night for everyone to enjoy.

Organizers request a $5 donation per pumpkin, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which provides joy, hope, and healing to children with serious illnesses and their families, completely free of charge.

Donations can be sent to Trinity Church, 36 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470, or made online via trinitynewtownct.org.

The Great Pumpkin Challenge was originally founded in 2011 by Mackenzie Page, as she was inspired to support her friend Zoe McMorran, who was diagnosed with brain cancer. The youth of Trinity Church gladly took over the project in 2016 when Page left for college.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman so children with serious illnesses could just be kids, and “raise a little hell” while experiencing diverse and transformational friendships that go hand in hand with camp.

Trinity Church extends its thanks to all who have helped celebrate a decade of this heartwarming tradition, and for supporting Newman’s vision of “a different kind of healing.”

Dozens of pumpkins filled the display of The Great Pumpkin Challenge at Trinity Church for Halloween last year, when the fundraiser was presented for the ninth time in front of 36 Main Street. Organizers have issued their call for carved pumpkins and donations toward this year’s presentation to benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. —Bee Photo, Glass

John D. Pfingsten (1953-2025)

It’s Time for Bold Change in Newtown

Endorses Rahtelli

Endorses Chaudhary

Supports Gaston

Open Letter to Dave Ackert. Mr. Ackert, you are a very angry and mean-spirited person who, in my recent memory, has never done anything but complain and has never shown anything but a one-dimensional uncompromising way of thinking. Want to change Newtown in a way you feel would be better? Then why don’t you RUN FOR OFFICE and stop hiding behind your ranting posts and letters and stop thinking that world revolves around you. Hating Trump (or Trump derangement Syndrome) HAS NOTHING to do with Newtown! Zero! I have talked with Democrats and “Never Trumpers” while out campaigning and knocking on doors that think critically and feel the same way. The Democrats have raised the taxes in Newtown to an unsustainable level and plan on making Newtown even more unaffordable in the future if they retain the majority. If you are not happy with how low (sarcastic) your taxes are? Vote for the Democrats. They will be more than happy to remedy that situation. They just passed a generational tax increase that if you read between the lines, essentially means if you don’t agree with the way they are stealing the innocence and charm out of Newtown, then leave. They have shown no regard to all the people that are struggling to pay their current taxes or rely upon the food pantry to put food on their table. At least the Republicans here in Newtown are dealing with real local issues and quite honestly have shown more common sense in the way the taxpayer’s money is spent. I think some of your arguments are valid, but I would like to see you use the intelligence God gave you in a more constructive way than just criticize. I am serious about you running for office. It would force you to see the big picture and maybe wield your influence in a more productive way.

Open Letter to Newtown’s Voting Majority

I appreciate your optimism about keeping national politics out of local government — we all want leaders who put Newtown first. But calling Paul a “centrist” just doesn’t match what we’ve seen. If you look at his comments online or watch the recent debate, Paul was the first to go negative and came across more like a national political candidate than a neighbor. That’s not the tone of someone trying to bring people together. Now, Paul is another story entirely. He’s honest, articulate, and clearly knows what he’s doing. Frankly, I think local Democrats would have been better off putting him at the top of their ticket.

I’m With Bruce And Paul

It "appears" to mandate affordable housing. This letter, pleading that we not “approve these changes in zoning,” shows just how disconnected from reality much of the town has become. Connecticut’s Affordable Housing Land Use Appeals Procedure—commonly referred to as 8-30g—has been in effect since 1990. Thirty-five years is hardly new legislation. What is new is that developers have finally chosen to exercise their legal right to use it, bypassing the NIMBY mob. Several neighboring towns have already learned that challenging this law only results in costly legal battles, consistently upheld by higher courts. I implore our elected officials to read the actual text of the law—and to not be INTIMIDATED by the mob.

Says Zoning Board Facing ‘Big Challenges’

One of the things that really stood out to me during the debate was how often the candidates said, “I agree with Jeff.” Even Candidate Lundquist and Candidate Walzak mentioned agreeing with Jeff on several issues. Sounds like Jeff has their vote too! Considering how poorly Mr. Walzak handled both the hearing and directly answering the questions, I think our path forward is pretty clear. Bruce set a clear path, he is up for listening, but it doesn't sound like he is up for the responsibilities and rigors of office.

Supports Capeci After Debate

I appreciate hearing from my fellow unaffiliated voters, but I think it’s important to recognize that many of us are unaffiliated not because we are undecided, but because we’ve grown tired of being labeled, attacked, or “canceled” by whichever side disagrees with us. Some of us choose to remain unaffiliated precisely because we value open dialogue and independent thinking — something that’s becoming harder to do in a climate where disagreement is met with outrage. Too often, “unaffiliated” letters like this one serve as a thinly veiled endorsement of one party, while dismissing or caricaturing anyone who holds a different view. We should be able to discuss our local issues, values, and goals without fear of being shouted down or shamed for who we support. I would encourage all voters — unaffiliated, Democrat, Republican, or otherwise — to look beyond the labels and listen to their neighbors with respect.

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A Decade Of Light & Love At Trinity: Tenth Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge In The Works

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