Article Archive

Selectman's Latest Code Red Aims To Reassure Frazzled Community

Published: Mar 28, 2020 at 07:00 PM

A few hours after First Selectman Dan Rosenthal produced his video outreach COVID-19 Clip for The Newtown Bee's YouTube channel Friday, he broadcast a Code Red...

Published: Mar 28, 2020 at 08:00 AM

What's open? What's closed? What's canceled? What has been postponed? What is operating on abbreviated hours? In one collection, we offer answers to all of thos...

Senior Center Curbside Lunch Service Deemed ‘A Great Thing’

Published: Mar 28, 2020 at 08:00 AM

Jim Gulalo pulled his minivan to the front entrance of Newtown Senior Center on March 25. After rolling down his window, the first thing he did was give a thumb...

Where Do You Find Happiness Now?

Published: Mar 28, 2020 at 07:45 AM

The governor last week announced a directive ordering residents across this state to “Stay Safe — Stay At Home” for a period of 30 days, beginning at 8 pm, Mond...

For Generations To Enjoy: Life Of Newtown Historian Daniel Cruson Recorded In Oral History Book

Published: Mar 28, 2020 at 07:30 AM

Over the last few decades, Newtown Historian Daniel “Dan” Cruson has devoted much of his time, attention, and care into discovering and preserving all things Ne...

Registration Requested For Dress A Girl Virtual Event

Published: Mar 28, 2020 at 07:15 AM

Newtown Congregational Church is planning its second annual a sew-a-thon supporting Dress A Girl Around the World. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, ...

Rosenthal, Culbert Release New Video Message As State COVID-19 Cases Near 1,300

Published: Mar 27, 2020 at 05:20 PM

Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and Health District Director Donna Culbert ducked outside Friday, March 27, to record the latest in a series of video outr...

Steven M. Bertrand

Published: Mar 27, 2020 at 04:15 PM

Steven M. Bertrand, age 66, of Newtown, died Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at Danbury Hospital. Mr Bertrand was born May 29, 1953, son of the late Henry “Bert” N. an...

Way We Were, Week Ending March 27

Published: Mar 27, 2020 at 01:00 PM

April 14, 1995 An Unexpected Flurry. The Newtown High girls’ lacrosse team didn’t let the April 8 snowstorm interfere with its game against state-power Hand Hig...

Armored Combat Enthusiasts Compete In Medieval Martial Arts

Published: Mar 27, 2020 at 08:00 AM

David Schill, of Sandy Hook, competes in armored combat, which is a form of traditional medieval martial arts. Schill uses heavy equipment, weighing more than 1...

Cancellations, Postponements & Other Changes: March 28-29, 2020 & Beyond What's open? What's closed? What's canceled? What has been postponed? What is operating on abbreviated hours? In one collection, we offer answers to all of those questions.What's open? What's closed? What's canceled? What has been postponed? What is operating on abbreviated hours? In one collection, we offer answers to all of those questions.Business owners, managers, event organizers, et al are encouraged to contact Associate Editor Shannon Hicks at shannon@thebee.com to be added to this list.Organizations, businesses and general announcements are listed first, following by special events by date.NEW THIS MORNING (Saturday, March 28, 2020): C.H. Booth Library Director Douglas Lord had already announced that there would not be overdue fines charges or accrued. Expanding on that, all items in good status have automatically been renewed until May 1, according to a March 27 note from Head of Reference Amy Schumann. Those with items that were already overdue prior to the library’s closing earlier this month should contact the library to have those fines waived.“If you had an item that was already overdue several weeks, we were not able to [clear overdue fines] remotely and in a batch,” Schumann said. “Please contact us so we can renew those items individually and allow you to use your card for our digital resources.”Speaking of library cards, those that were due to expire have been renewed until June 1, also according to Schumann. If a card had already expired, the card holder should email the library and it will be renewed.The library has also created a new email address for the current closure. Notes should be sent to help@chboothlibrary.org.Big Y World Class Market, at 6 Queen Street, is opening at 7 am for senior citizens, 8 am for everyone else, and remaining open until 8 pm daily, until further notice.Read more here: Supermarkets Curtail Hours, Offer Early Shopping For Some GroupsC.H. Booth Library is closed. The latest indication, from its website, is that the library may reopen on Thursday, April 23.Materials that were borrowed from the library should be kept at home, according to Library Director Douglas Lord."There will be no fines or overdues, and the library has a massive amount of digital and streaming materials available for free," Lord told The Newtown Bee on March 16. Visit chboothlibrary.org for details.CHB Head of Reference Amy Schumann expanded on that announcement on March 27, adding that all items in good status have automatically been renewed until May 1. Those with items that were already overdue prior to the library’s closing earlier this month should contact the library to have those fines waived.“If you had an item that was already overdue several weeks, we were not able to [clear overdue fines] remotely and in a batch,” Schumann said. “Please contact us so we can renew those items individually and allow you to use your card for our digital resources.”Also, library cards that were due to expire have been renewed until June 1, also according to Schumann. If a card had already expired, the card holder should email the library and it will be renewed.The library has also created a new email address for the current closure. Notes should be sent to help@chboothlibrary.org.Friends of Booth Library have announced they cannot accept donations of books, CDs, DVDs, or any other materials until the library reopens. An April 26 Book Donation Day has been canceled, according to Friends President Kathryn Hanson.Caraluzzi's Newtown Market, 5 Queen Street, is open from 6:30 until 7:30 am daily for shoppers age 65 and over, and then from 7:30 until 8 pm for all, until further notice.Read more here: Supermarkets Curtail Hours, Offer Early Shopping For Some GroupsCornerstone Ministry at Newtown Congregational Church is closed until further notice.Edmond Town Hall is closed until at least April 20, its Board of Managers announced March 25. Building staff will continue to work on cleaning and special projects throughout the building, and administrative staff continues to work including answering calls (203-270-4285) and emails (manager@edmondtownhall.org).EverWonder Children’s Museum is closed until further notice.FAITH Food Pantry is operating by appointment only. Call 203-426-5604 or 203-837-0816 to make an appointment to pick up food, toiletries, pet supplies, etc.Those who wish to donate to the pantry also need to call for an appointment.Read more here: Effective Immediately: FAITH Food Pantry Operating By Appointment OnlyGirl Scouts of Connecticut including Girl Scouts of Newtown suspended all activity and meetings as of March 16.The Newtown Bee offices, 5 Church Hill Road, are currently open by appointment only. Staff is working Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (earlier and later by chance). Connect over the phone (203-426-3141) or through emails. When the weather cooperates, copies of the print edition will be sold on a cart outside the front door, alleviating the need for person-to-person contact. Papers are $1 each, and an honor box is on the cart. If it's raining and you'd like a copy of The Newtown Bee, call the office and someone will walk one outside. Newtown Bridge Club activities, initially canceled until April 2, will be canceled until at least April 20, the new date Edmond Town Hall hopes to reopen.Newtown Community Center is closed until further notice.Community Center staff will be available to answer the phones (203-270-4349) between 8 am and 4:30 pm.Newtown Continuing Education programs have been postponed. In a note to The Newtown Bee, NCE Director Jennifer Arnold said "We hope to offer make ups and to reschedule classes. Registrants will be advised via email/phone about their classes when make up dates become available, or if a class is cancelled. Please feel free to contact continuinged@newtown.k12.ct.us with questions."Newtown Municipal Center is open by appointment only.Residents and other potential visitors should contact a department they wish to do business with before going to 3 Primrose Street. Contact information for each department is available at the Town website (newtown-ct.gov).In addition to those based at 3 Primrose Street, Town offices include Newtown Community Center, Parks & Recreation and Newtown Senior Center, at 8 Simpson Street; and Newtown Police Department, at 3 Main Street (see additional PD notes below). None of these locations are available to walk-in visitors at this time.Newtown Public Works & Engineering departments, at 4 Turkey Hill Road, are also open by appointment only. Call 203-270-4300 to schedule an appointment, including arrangements for compost bags or recycling bins.Newtown Parent Connection is following guidelines announced by President Trump, Governor Lamont and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, and has suspended its Hope & Support, Bereavement, and Friends in Recovery meetings until further notice. Those who need individual assistance should call 203-270-1600.Newtown Police Department has adopted its own social distancing protocols, including asking residents and others to not visit 3 Main Street unless it is an emergency. Call 911 in the event of an emergency, but use the department’s routine phone line (203-426-5841) for all other calls.Those who do go to the station will be directed to an internal phone in the lobby, from which they will be connected to an officer.The Records Window is closed until further notice; requests can be done over the phone, via email, and via USPS. Fingerprinting and Car Seat Installation services are suspended until further notice.The department is also asking that the public hold off on visiting with gifts and/or treats until further notice.Read more here: Police Adopt New Protocols In Response To PanddemicNewtown Public Schools are closed until further notice.Newtown Senior Center has also closed until further notice.Through CW Resources, the senior center’s meal provider, prepackaged lunches for senior citizens are available Monday through Thursday, with advance registration. Suggested donation is $3, cash only.Those who are not yet registered for the congregate meal program at Newtown Senior Center, which is required by CW Resources, can do so at the same time they pick up their first meal.Contact the senior center, 203-270-4310, to place an order for a lunch.Newtown Youth & Family Services has closed its offices, but staff remains available for non-emergency calls. Contact NYFS's answering service at 203-791-7332. Call 911 in the event of an emergency.NYFS has begun offering virtual and tele-health appointments, NYFS Executive Director Candice Bohr recently told The Newtown Bee.NYA Sports & Fitness Center is closed until further notice, according to its website.Parks & Recreation Activities & EventsNewtown Parks & Recreation programs and activities have been canceled until further notice.All organized sporting activities are postponed indefinitely. Scheduled field use will resume when schools reopen.Parks, including their playgrounds, are closed. Pavilion rentals are suspended.Newtown Park & Bark is also closed.The only exception to the above notice is Pole Bridge and Orchard Hill preserves, which remain open for hiking.In his update with The Newtown Bee on March 21, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal addressed a concern of his: seeing large groups still congregating at fields around town."We don't need to be walking in a big mass, or playing soccer in a large group — that really conflicts with guidance we're getting from virtually all health officials," the first selectman said. He also reminds residents that local parks, playgrounds and facilities like the skate park are closed and being patrolled, and those seen in those facilities are trespassing and may be subject to police intervention."If a few friends take a walk together spaced six feet away, that's fine — or doing some soccer drills," he said. "But we have seen the police respond to several parks facilities asking people to leave."The Resiliency Center of Newtown is open by appointment only; call 203-364-9750.Stop & Shop stores, including the one in Sand Hill Plaza, 228 South Main Street, have special and curtailed hours.The store is open from Stores are open 7:30 am until 8 pm. Online pick-up will also be suspended.Customers age 60 and older are welcome between 6 and 7:30 am.Read more here: Supermarkets Curtail Hours, Offer Early Shopping For Some GroupsTrinity Day School is closed until further notice.The VNA Thrift Shop at Edmond Town Hall is closed until further notice.SATURDAY, MARCH 28The Newtown Middle School production of Willy Wonka Jr, scheduled for the weekend of March 27-29, has been postponed to the weekend of April 24-26.The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers on March 11 announced the Brothers Revival concert has been postponed. A new date will be scheduled, according to the release issued by the board, but those who have purchased tickets can receive a full refund.Today's Newtown Hikers hike has been canceled.The 50th Annual SCAN Spring Juried Show & Sale, including tonight's opening reception and award ceremony, has been postponed. Planned for March 28-May 15, new dates will be announced.SUNDAY, MARCH 29Read more here: Faith Communities Respond To COVID-19 With Streaming Service, Expanded Online Presence; Some Still Meetingand here: Worship Notes, for the weekend of March 28-29, 2020Two Newtown Community Center events — Bunny Breakfast and Egg Dive — have been canceled.MONDAY, MARCH 30Senior Indoor Drop-In Pickleball at Edmond Town Hall has been canceled.Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.“Conversation with Storyteller & Author Carl Wilkens,” an NHS PTSA event, has been canceled.TUESDAY, MARCH 31The March 31 Newtown Youth Football & Cheer Open House has been canceled. Organizers are also delaying the opening of registration for the upcoming season until further notice.Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.THURSDAY, APRIL 2Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.FRIDAY, APRIL 3The Parks & Recreation Flashlight Egg Hunt has been canceled.Tonight’s Rocking Rooster Square Dance Club dance has been canceled.SATURDAY, APRIL 4The Parks & Rec Spring Egg Hunt has been canceled, “for the first time ever,” Parks & Rec Assistant Director-Recreation RoseAnn Reggiano confirmed this week.The SCAN Spring Workshop: Pastels with Karen Israel has been canceled.This month’s Families United in Newtown (FUN) Gathering has been canceled. Watch next week’s Newtown Bee for details on what the group will be doing in honor of Autism Awareness Month, however.The NUMC Pasta Dinner and NUMC Coffee House have both been canceled.MONDAY, APRIL 6Senior Indoor Drop-In Pickleball at Edmond Town Hall has been canceled.Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.The Girl Scouts of Newtown All-Girl Meeting scheduled for today has been postponed.TUESDAY, APRIL 7Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.THURSDAY, APRIL 9Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.This month’s Horticulture Club of Newtown meeting has been canceled.SATURDAY, APRIL 11The Annual Egg Scramble at EverWonder Children’s Museum will be rescheduled to a later date.MONDAY, APRIL 13Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.“The Building of The Stevenson Dam,” a presentation by John Babina, hosted by Newtown Historical Society at C.H. Booth Library, has been postponed; new date TBA.TUESDAY, APRIL 14Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15The deadline for filing state and federal taxes has been extended this year, to July 15.Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.THURSDAY, APRIL 16Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.SUNDAY, APRIL 19The April 19 Newtown Music Series: Linda Ronstadt Retrospective concert at Edmond Town Hall has been postponed; new date TBA.SATURDAY, APRIL 25The 13th Annual Newtown Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 25, has been canceled.SUNDAY, APRIL 19The Newtown Historical Society Open House & Living History Demonstration: Spinning Wheel program has been canceled.SUNDAY, APRIL 26A Friends of C.H. Booth Library Book Donation Day has been canceled.SUNDAY, MAY 3The return performance by The Imagination Movers, scheduled for today at Edmond Town Hall, has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 18. Tickets from the original date will be honored.SATURDAY, MAY 10The 3rd Annual Run4Hunger, originally planned for May 10, has been postponed to September 12.SUNDAY, MAY 17The Newtown Historical Society Open House & Living History Demonstration: Blacksmithing program has been canceled.

The late Stan Karpacz is the gentleman speaking with the ladies in the photo

Way We Were, week ending March 13, 2020

GOOD ANNOUNCEMENT! GOOD FOR THE DEPARTMENT! GOD BE WITH YOU ALL!

Police Adopt New Protocols In Response To Pandemic

My name is Jack McAvoy, older brother of Joanne and Patricia McAvoy who lost their lives in an automobile accident 50 years ago on the date above. I wonder if any readers still remember two of the most wonderful sisters a brother could ever have, and I'll bet two of the nicest friends one could ever know. Joanne was 17, Patricia 15. I can't thank the Bee enough for posting this In Memoriam. As a regular reader of the "Way We Were" feature from my home in Pennsylvania, I wondered if any mention would be made of the accident as the sad anniversary approached. It was not (so far anyway), and I totally understood because that's probably not the place to recount such a tragic event. And then . . . then I clicked on Obituaries and saw that the precious memory of these dear girls is still alive in their hometown thanks to this newspaper with a heart. I am so moved. If anyone knew them, you would understand why. On the chance that a former classmate/friend might want to visit their grave site, they are interred in St. Rose Cemetery very close to the entrance. Take the road to the right just a little way and you'll find the headstone close to the road. If anyone reads this and remembers, I thank you for any kindness you might have ever done for them. Chances are they were kind to you as well. That's the way they always were. RIP, Joanne and Patricia. I love you both.

In Memoriam: Joanne Louise McAvoy

Clocks of any type should be avoided because the word for clock sounds a lot like the word for the funeral ritual. Clocks also are a reminder that time is running out and are considered a reminder that life will come to an end.

The Top Of The Mountain

I wonder why it is discouraged to give a gift of clocks in the Chinese New Year

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