UPDATE (12:35 pm): This story has been updated to reflect that the March 20 and March 27 Friday Knight Fish Fry events at St Rose Church will be take-out only.

NOTE: This story was originally published Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Additions have been added on March 12.

* * * * *

Concerns and precautions over the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus, are leading to the postponement and cancellation of public events.

The Newtown Bee will continue to update this post as new announcements are received. Event organizers are encouraged to contact us as decisions are made, to ensure information is as up to date as possible. Contact Associate Editor Shannon Hicks at shannon@thebee.com to have an event added to this list, and updated on our calendar page.

NEWTOWN SENIOR CENTER

Town of Newtown Human Resources Director Natalie Jackson announced on March 12 that Newtown Senior Center was suspending all classes, programs and tours, effective immediately and until further notice. The move, she said, was “out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 virus.

There are a few exceptions, Jackson noted. The Monday, March 16, AARP Tax Program and the Monday-Thursday Lunch Program will continue.

“The Senior Center will remain open during this time,” she said in an email blast. “We will continue to monitor and follow all guidance from our local Health District and the State Department of Health.”

Jackson encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to her and/or the senior center staff “should you need anything at this time.”

Contact Jackson at 203-270-4310 or natalie.jackson@newtown-ct.gov.

PARKS & RECREATION ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Newtown Parks & Recreation announced March 12 that all of its programs and activites scheduled at Newtown schools and NYA Sports & Fitness are canceled until further notice.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

Maplewood Senior Living Communities issued a statement on March 10 announcing that all group events within those communities — which includes Maplewood at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Road — are postponed until further notice. This includes tonight’s session of the Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group. The next session is scheduled for April 8; call 203-426-8118 for additional information.

Tonight's Newtown Choral Society rehearsal has been canceled.

Tonight's Working Women's Forum has also been canceled.

The Borough Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for 7 pm tonight has been canceled for health and safety reasons in view of the coronavirus situation. The public hearing that was to have been held on proposed Borough landmark zoning regulations will be rescheduled.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12

The Newtown Sped PTA has also canceled this month’s general assembly meeting and parent support group.

“Mary Murphy, co-president of the Special Needs PTA, said the group is “looking into different options to hold an online meeting to be able to discuss PTA bending business. Please know we will continue to be a resource for parents of special needs children in Newtown who need each other’s support during this time.

“Although we could not meet in person we strongly encourage all parents in need of support to reach out to us directly at newtownspedpta@gmail.com,” she added.

This month's Friends of Counted Embroidery-Laurel Chapter meeting has been canceled.

Tonight's Horticulture Club of Newtown meeting has been canceled.

This month's Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission meeting has been canceled.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue announced on March 11 that Newtown Public Schools will be closed Friday, March 13, a professional development day for staff. This will replace the planned PPD scheduled for April 3.

"We need additional time for our staff to plan for an Alternative Learning Plan for students through a distance learning model that will be implemented in the event of an extended school closure. Following our Friday staff development, the details of our learning plan will be shared with all families," Dr Rodrigue said in a letter emailed to all parents.

“Looking To The Future with 2020 Hindsight: part one — Discussion & Writing,” a series to be presented by Friends of Newtown Seniors at Newtown Senior Center, has been postponed indefinitely.

FONS President John Boccuzzi Sr told The Newtown Bee on March 12 that he is working on rescheduling the series — three Friday morning writing sessions, including the first scheduled for March 13, and then a three-day mosaic project — for later this spring.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13-SUNDAY, MARCH 15

All of the March 13-15 movie screenings at Edmond Town Hall Theatre have been canceled.

March 16-19 screenings of Jumanji: The Next Level are still on the calendar, as of March 12.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

The 25th Annual St Rose Irish Cabaret has also been canceled, "in accordance with Diocesan direction to cancel non-liturgical, social events scheduled to take place in the immediate weeks ahead, especially those in which the elderly may be inclined to participate," organizers said in an e-mail Wednesday morning.

The annual event is presented by the Knights of Columbus Council 185.

"We are looking into the best manner to return ticket proceeds already received," Chris Carney, David Laros and Mike Reilly said in the March 11 email. "Plus let [us] know if you would like some of all of your previously ticket proceeds to be donated to the Knights of Columbus Council 185's c3 charity, 'At Our Gate.'"

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

A free Irish dance lesson and open house event at Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance has been canceled.

Newtown Congregational Church pastors announced on March 12 that there will be no “community gathered worship” in the 14 West Street Sanctuary for at least the next two weeks (March 15 and March 22).

"However, [NCC Minister of Youth & Mission] Kristen [Provost-Switzer] and I will be live-streaming a worship service at 10 am on these Sundays," Senior Pastor Matt Crebbin said via an email blast. The church also plans to offer links "via email and other online resources afterwards so that any and all can still worship," he added.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

The Town of Newtown announced Wednesday morning that, "out of an abundance of caution for our residents," the March 16 Fairfield Hills Forum has been canceled.

"Alternative arrangements are being planned and will be announced as soon as possible," the notice added. Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting is still on, as of March 11, "for regular board business; Fairfield Hills will not be discussed," the noticed continued.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

The St Patrick's Day Celebration at Church Hill Village has been canceled.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

A free screening of the documentary Lives Well Lived: Celebrating the Secrets, Wit & Wisdom of Age at Edmond Town Hall has been "postponed until further notice," according to a Facebook post.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

As mentioned above, the Diocese of Bridgeport has directed that all non-liturgical events involving crowds of 100 or more are to be canceled. As a result, the March 20 Friday Night Bingo at St Rose of Lima has been canceled.

The next two Friday Knight Fish Fry events — Fridays, March 20 and 27 — will be presented as take-out events only. Diners can choose from entrees of fried or baked fish, fish tacos, BBQ shrimp po’ boys, or eggplant parmesan, with sides including french fries, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, and clam chowder, and a soft drink.

Dinners are $10 for adults, $6 for children, and the menu remains the same.

Details concerning the final 2020 Friday Knight Fish Fry, planned for April 10, will be announced.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

This month's “2020 Caregiver Support & Education Series” program, "Taking Care of the Caregiver," at Church Hill Village has been canceled.

The Flagpole Radio Cafe with special guest Peter Yarrow has been postponed, Executive Producer Martin Blanco has confirmed to The Newtown Bee.

"The new date is to be determined," Blanco said March 11. "Refunds will be given to everyone who already purchased tickets."

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

“Gershwin & Friends,” a concert planned at Congregation Adath Israel, has been canceled.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

The “2020 Regional Economic Outlook Breakfast” co-hosted by Newtown Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Newtown EDC and People’s United Bank, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 17.

It will still be held at Newtown Community Center. Contact the Chamber of Commerce, 203-426-2695 or chamber@newtown-ct.com, for additional information.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

As mentioned above, the March 27 Friday Knight Fish Fry will be take-out only. See additional details under March 20.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27-SUNDAY, MARCH 29

The Newtown Bee has been notified that the 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.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers on March 11 announced the postponement of the Brothers Revival concert “in the best interest of public health for Newtown residents and the extended community in light of the coronavirus outbreak,” the board announced Wednesday afternoon via a press release.

A new date will be scheduled, according to the release, but those who have purchased tickets can receive a full refund.

A new date will be scheduled, according to a press released from the board, but those who have purchased tickets, a full refund is available.

“All other theater/building activities, including movies, will continue as scheduled,” the release continued, “however the Board of Managers is prepared to make real time decisions as news continues to develop.”