Cultural Events

Semiquincentennial Community Concert, October 4

Published: Sep 22, 2026 7:30 am

Newtown Congregational Church will host what may be the final local Semiquincentennial event in Newtown, a community concert planned for Sunday, October 4, at 2 pm.

All are invited to join members of the church and local musicians for an afternoon of patriotic songs and classic favorites by Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Loggins and Messina, Jackson Brown, and “many other great American artists,” according to organizers. A few readings are also planned, with guest speakers to read portions of familiar historic speeches.

Admission is free. All are welcome.

Hot dogs and apple pie will be served.

Donations will be accepted, and forwarded to an organization that helps veterans.

Members of the Newtown community will be playing American classics and songs on October 4. Among them will be Sharon Martovich (left), Bob Andrejczyk, Rich Collins, Andy Corcon, Joe (Tex) Fiorini, Charlie Ferris, and Michael (Fiddlemic) O’Reilly. These folks play classic jams together at Reverie Brewing on Tuesday nights. —Bee Photo, Cross

Newtown Congregational Church will host what may be the final local Semiquincentennial event in Newtown, a community concert planned for Sunday, October 4.

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Michelle Embree Ku raises valid concerns about local property taxes, but ignores a basic political reality: Representative Mitch Bolinsky serves in the minority in a legislature dominated by a single-party supermajority where minority-party proposals are routinely sidelined. Suggesting that a single minority representative could rewrite the state's ECS formula is politically unrealistic and disingenuous to Newtown voters. Despite those odds, Mitch’s CGA track record speaks for itself. He led the charge to protect special education funding, preserve Drug-Free School Zones, safeguard school safety drills, advance science-based structured literacy, and defend homeschooling choices for families. If Ms. Ku knows how to fix the ECS formula, what has she done to convince her own party—the same party that controls the House, Senate, and Governor’s office? If the supermajority has the votes to fix ECS today, why hasn’t it happened during the 13 years she cites? Adding another seat to a supermajority that made Connecticut one of the highest-taxed states won't help Newtown taxpayers. If the current majority hasn't delivered relief with absolute power, expanding that majority won't change the outcome. Newtown’s interests are best served by keeping Mitch in the House and increasing Republican margins to provide real checks and balances. When one party holds every lever of power, accountability disappears. Strengthening the minority ensures our town’s voice is heard, not drowned out.

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The idea that a freshman Democrat would be able to stand up to the special interests and prioritization of urban districts that are the base of that caucus to deliver results for Newtown is laughable - especially someone who could not even build the "relationships, coalitions, and the support necessary" to garner the endorsements of her fellow Democrat Council members ahead of Newtown's local caucus this spring. More likely Newtown would see something akin to Leeper in Fairfield, performative actions after vote counting, while privately advancing their party's interests over their community's.

Dear Alyssa, Kelela, and Brandon, We send our sincere sympathy to you and your family. We will also keep you in our prayers asking our Lord to grant you comfort and peace. With love, Vince and Sandy Venitelli

Cheryl Ghent

Bruce, your advice that voters should “read, listen, and engage” would be much more persuasive if you practiced it yourself. You campaigned on openness and responsiveness. You declared that “evasive answers or silence are unacceptable in government” and promised to answer constituent inquiries within two days. Yet you never answered my straightforward public question about Main Street demonstrations, traffic disruption, pedestrian safety, and the effects on local businesses. After taking office, meaningful public engagement has largely been replaced by “Brews with Bruce” at the Senior Center—requiring reservations and, for some residents, a day pass. That is not accessible, townwide engagement. Previous first selectmen held open coffee hours and walk-and-talk sessions that any resident could attend. Then came the failed storm communications, your apology, and another promise to communicate better—followed shortly afterward by more silence while multiple police agencies conducted a significant search near Saw Mill Road. You now tell voters to examine what candidates say and “how they say it.” I would suggest going one step further: compare what politicians promise while seeking office with what they actually do after winning. Your record presents a stark contrast. You told voters exactly what they wanted to hear to get the job, then failed to live by those promises. Whether that is dishonesty or simply indifference, it is the same familiar, two-faced politics you once claimed you would replace.

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Semiquincentennial Community Concert, October 4

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