Newtown Lions Club will, with Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, 56 Pole Bridge Road in Sandy Hook, present a special evening on Thursday, November 20, from 6-8 pm, celebrating the release of the third edition of A Tour of Newtown, Connecticut. First released in late 2018, the recently updated and extended book takes readers on a journey through the town’s rich history and charming landmarks.

A Tour of Newtown, Connecticut highlights the heart and history of Newtown. Readers discover the stories behind Main Street’s historic sites and explore the people, events, and organizations that make Newtown such a vibrant and supportive community.

The book is filled with full-color images accompanying the narratives.

Attendees on November 20 will meet the book’s co-creators, Rhonda Cullens and Ed Miklaszewski.

An award-winning photographer, lecturer, author, and photography judge, Cullens is a prominent leader in the photographic community. She serves on the Board of Directors for New England Camera Club Council (NECCC), where she has been awarded the honors of Master Member and Honorary Member for her service. Locally, she is a dedicated board member and exhibit chair of Newtown’s Flagpole Photographers Camera Club.

Cullens also authored the book David K. Merrill’s Lifetime of Painting on behalf of the Lions Club Charities. This book celebrates the work of one of Newtown’s most beloved artists, known best for his historical murals and the “Flag Trees” memorial.

Cullens has been a resident of Newtown since 1993, and it is where she and her husband, Chane, raised their two sons. Throughout the years, she has also been an active volunteer in local schools, youth athletic programs, civic and cultural projects, and her church.

Guests on November 20 will be invited to meet Cullens, who will be signing copies of A Tour of Newtown, which features many of her images.

Books will be available for purchase at $25 each, with all proceeds benefiting Lions Club charities. Attendees will also be invited to enjoy the wines and cozy ambiance of Aquila’s indoor tasting room — as featured in the new edition of the book.