To the Editor:

I would like to thank everyone who made the fundraising dinner I coordinated for pancreatic cancer research a success. The dinner was November 1, at Beef & Barleys Restaurant. All proceeds benefited the Lustgarten Foundation, an organization where, thanks to private funding, every dollar donated goes directly toward research. This cause is near and dear to my heart; I lost my husband, Berny, former chief engineer of Newtown Hook & Ladder, 50 years old, after only a five-month battle.

The generosity of Newtown residents is truly touching. I want to thank Mike and Laura Briganti for welcoming this event at their new restaurant. They could not have been more helpful, kind, generous, and energetic. They exceeded my expectations with their decorations, suggesting everyone wear purple (the color to symbolize pancreatic cancer) and requiring their wonderful staff to do so, as well. They also recommended soliciting donations from local businesses.

Without these generous local business, the event would not have been so successful: Big Y, Fushion25, Bleeker Street Pizza, Butcher's Best, Nina's Nails, Your Healthy Pet, Crystal Nails, Game Stop, Stop & Shop, UPS Store, Blue Colony, Barn Wood Grill, Pizza Palace, Salon Michele, Dunkin' Donuts, Castle Hill Chocolates, Queen Street Cleaners, Queen Street Gifts & Treats, Newtown Color Center, Newtown Family Dentistry, Sherwin Williams, Top Of The Class Salon, Blue Nail Salon, Red Rooster, Franco's, Fairgrounds Liquor, Newtown Florist, Sal n Pepe's, Newtown Hardware, Cafe Expresso, Caraluzzi's, Basil Rose Boutique, Barbara Kasbarian, John Burstche Materials, and Debbie Barbiero.

I urge all Newtown residents to frequent these businesses as a way to thank them for their generosity to the causes they support throughout the year and services they offer.

I want to thank those who attended the dinner, especially my wonderful friends - And a special thank you to my dear friend, Elin Hayes.

Thank you all.

Ellen Klaus

2 Brassie Road, Newtown         December 4, 2017