Features

Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs: Local Program Offers Ongoing, Unconditional Joy And Comfort

By Shannon Hicks

Updated: Jul 28, 2020 09:33 AM

Therapy dogs have been around for years, but many Newtown residents were introduced to them following 12/14. Formed in the wake of that terrible day, Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs (NSTD) has continued to flourish and grow since.

Vanessa Trien Keeps Children On Their Feet

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Jul 16, 2018 12:00 AM

"I'm Vanessa," said Vanessa Trien to the many children with their bright eyes turned to her Tuesday evening at Dickinson Park. Stepping down off the band shell, she encouraged her young audience: "May...

Theater Review: 'Desert Cities' Resonates In Sherman

By Elizabeth Young

Published: Jul 16, 2018 12:00 AM

SHERMAN - The lengths that parents will go to protect their children is on intense and exquisite display in The Sherman Playhouse production of Other Desert Cities, by playwright Jon Robin Baitz. Posi...

Theater Review: Excellent 'Sweeney Todd' At TBTA

By Elizabeth Young

Published: Jul 16, 2018 12:00 AM

BROOKFIELD - The Brookfield Theater for the Arts has undertaken a big, bold production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, a musical that fills the theater with an atmosphere of madness and brilliant ...

'The Dogs Of Camelot' Brings Readers Into The World Of The Kennedy Canines

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Jul 15, 2018 12:00 AM

Dr Margaret "Peggy" Reed has been training dogs for decades, including here in Newtown, but now she is providing a learning experience to dog owners (or non-dog owners, for that matter) through her bo...

Newtown Continuing Education's SMART Camp Begins

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: Jul 14, 2018 12:00 AM

Newtown Continuing Education's SMART (Summer Music and Art) Camp began its summer classes on July 2 this year. The camp runs for two weeks, in two sessions. This year's second session will run from Ju...

'My Magic Breath' Teaches Children The Power Of Mindfulness

By Alissa Silber

Published: Jul 14, 2018 12:00 AM

What if the magic to help us feel better was inside us all along?New York Times bestselling author and Newtown resident Nick Ortner dives into the subject of mindfulness and the power of intentional b...

Historic Renovations In Sandy Hook Center

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Jul 13, 2018 12:00 AM

NOTE (Wednesday, July 18, 2018): This feature has been updated to include the name of the firm doing the renovations, and the primary builders on the project. * * * * * Major renovations are unde...

Snapshot: Abbey Lynch

Published: Jul 13, 2018 12:00 AM

Occupation: I'm the Young Adult Librarian and Volunteer Coordinator at the C.H. Booth Library. I just started May 9, and it's been really fun. I like it a lot. Before this, I was doing the childre...

Friends Of The C.H. Booth Library Book Sale: Books Fly Out The Doors, Ferried By Happy Readers

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: Jul 13, 2018 12:00 AM

This year's Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Book Sale may be one for the books. According to unofficial tallies, this year's book sale is shaping up to surpass last year's fundraiser for the library...

Driver Arrested After Fleeing Crash Scene

Rain Prompts Online Push To Finish First Responder Mental Health Fundraiser

New England Journalism Organizations Condemn White House Restrictions On News Organizations

Newtown Democratic Town Committee Announces ‘An Evening For Blue’ Honoring Jim Gaston

Boys' Golfers Tee Off

An incredible event... again. Thanks so much to Leslie and the entire gang who make this gathering of friends, family and classmates happen every year! And thanks to Devery Stickles for his generous support. This event is truly the Heart & Spirit of Newtown!

Dozens Enjoy Annual Panacea Labor Day Weekend Concert

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.

ECS Funding Debate Should Focus On Results

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.

Encourages Consideration Of State Candidates

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Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs: Local Program Offers Ongoing, Unconditional Joy And Comfort

Vanessa Trien Keeps Children On Their Feet

Theater Review: 'Desert Cities' Resonates In Sherman

Theater Review: Excellent 'Sweeney Todd' At TBTA

'The Dogs Of Camelot' Brings Readers Into The World Of The Kennedy Canines

Newtown Continuing Education's SMART Camp Begins

'My Magic Breath' Teaches Children The Power Of Mindfulness

Historic Renovations In Sandy Hook Center

Snapshot: Abbey Lynch

Friends Of The C.H. Booth Library Book Sale: Books Fly Out The Doors, Ferried By Happy Readers