The Newtown Bee continues to receive word of cancellations, postponements and closures in light of COVD-19. Organizers, business owners, et al are encouraged to contact Associate Editor Shannon Hicks at shannon@thebee.com to be added to this list. Updates will be added as they are received, and noted at the top of this post each day.

NOTES for Friday, March 20, 2020:

*Big Y World Class Market has updated its early shopping opportunity. New signs at the 6 Queen Street market indicate senior citizens are welcome from 7 to 8 am, and all shoppers are welcome after 8 am. o

The market is closing at 8 pm each night.

*The March 20 and March 27 Friday Knight Fish Fry events at St Rose Church have been canceled. The Knights of Columbus are still hoping to host their final Lenten dinner offering on April 10.

*The local Knight of Columbus have also announced the 3rd Annual Run4Hunger, originally planned for May 16, has been postponed to September 12.

BETHEL VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION

*The Bethel Visiting Nurse Association’s 21st Annual Breakfast for Care, scheduled for April 24, has been rescheduled to Friday, October 2, 2020 at the Ethan Allen Hotel and Conference Center in Danbury. "The breakfast has been postponed due the unprecedented times brought on by the Coronavirus," Bethel VNA Executive Director Maggie Burke, MS, said in a March 18 press release.

"Bethel VNA will continue to put the safety and well-being of our staff, patients and community first. We have made this difficult decision based upon the health and safety of our staff, patients and community members while keeping in mind the protocols concerning social distancing," Burke added.

BIG Y SUPERMARKET

Big Y Supermarket is opening at 7 am for senior citizens, 8 am for everyone else, and remaining open until 8 pm daily, until further notice.

BOOTH LIBRARY

C.H. Booth Library is closed for a tentative period of two weeks.

It is anticipated that the library will reopen on March 30 at 9:30 am.

Library staff will report to work, to answer phones and return emails, the notice continued. The building itself will not be open to the public, however.

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.

Friends of Booth Library have announced they cannot accept donations of books, CDs, DVDs, or any other materials until the library reopens.

Toni Earnshaw, speaking for the group, said the Friends “thank you for your patience and your generosity.”

CARALUZZI'S NEWTOWN MARKET

Caraluzzi's Newtown Market is open 7 am to 8 pm daily, until further notice.

CORNERSTONE MINISTRY at Newtown Congregational Church

Cornerstone is closed until further notice.

EDMOND TOWN HALL

The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers announced on March 17 that they "have made the difficult decision to shutter Edmond Town Hall entirely, effective 5 pm March 17, until further notice."

EVERWONDER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

EverWonder Children’s Museum is closed to the public as of March 14, until further notice.

FAITH FOOD PANTRY

FAITH FOOD PANTRY is operating by appointment only. Read more here.

GIRL SCOUTS OF CONNECTICUT including Girl Scouts of Newtown

Heather Smith, co-service unit manager for Girl Scouts of Newtown, has informed The Newtown Bee that Girl Scouts of Connecticut has suspended all activity and meetings beginning March 16.

NEWTOWN BRIDGE CLUB

Newtown Bridge Club activities are canceled until at least April 2, the club announced.

NEWTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER

NCC Director Matt Ariniello announced on Monday, March 16, that the center will close at 6 pm Monday, and then remain closed until further notice.

"There are no confirmed cases in town, but we intend to take this time to deep clean and for self care for staff and community members," Ariniello said Monday afternoon.

Community Center staff will be available to answer the phones (203-270-4349) between 8 am and 4:30 pm.

NEWTOWN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Newtown Congregational Church is closed, including the office and worship services. The church will offer a live streamed worship service on Sunday, March 22.

All events and activities are canceled until further notice.

The office phone (203-426-9024) and email (newcong@sbcglobal.net) will be monitored.

NEWTOWN CONTINUING EDUCATION

All Newtown Continuing Education Programs have been postponed.

In a note to The Newtown Bee on Monday, 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, TOWN OFFICES

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal announced on Friday, March 13, that Newtown Municipal Center will be open by appointment only as of Monday, March 16.

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.

In addition to those based at 3 Primrose Street, Town offices include Newtown Community Center, Parks & Recreation and Newtown Senior Center, at at 8 Simpson Street.

Newtown Public Works & Engineering departments, at 4 Turkey Hill Road, are open by appointment only, as of March 17. Call 203-270-4300 to schedule an appointment, including arrangements for compost bags or recycling bins.

NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Newtown Public Schools are closed until further notice.

NEWTOWN SENIOR CENTER

Newtown Senior Center has also closed until further notice.

NEWTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Newtown United Methodist Church Pastor Lori Miller announced March 13 that the Church Hill Road sanctuary will be closed for the next three weekends.

Services on March 15, 22 and 29 will be streamed, the church office confirmed; visit numc.us for details.

NEWTOWN YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES

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.

NYA SPORTS & FITNESS CENTER

NYA “is following the mandate issued by the State of CT to suspend business operations in response to the COVID-19 virus.” The center closed at 8 pm March 16 and will remain closed until further notice, according to its website. Contact the center at info@NYASportsFitnessCenter.com for additional information.

PARKS & RECREATION ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Newtown Parks & Recreation programs and activities have been canceled until further notice.

Also, all organized sporting activities are postponed indefinitely. Scheduled field use will resume when schools reopen.

“As long as the schools remain closed fields are closed to organized activities. Spring sports will continue as planned, once schools reopen,” the department said via email blast Friday, March 13.

Playgrounds at parks are closed and pavilion rentals are now suspended, the notice added.

The Town on March 17 reminded residents that all parks, including Newtown Park & Bark, are closed with the exception of Pole Bridge and Orchard Hill Preserves for hiking.

THE RESILIENCY CENTER OF NEWTOWN

The Resiliency Center of Newtown is open by appointment only; call 203-364-9750.

STOP & SHOP

Stop & Shop stores, including the one in Sand Hill Plaza, will have curtailed hours as of Monday, March 16. Stores will be open 7:30 am until 8 pm. Online pick-up will also be suspended.

On Monday, March 16, Stop & Shop announced special hours for customers age 60 and older, to begin Thursday, March 19. The supermarkets will open from 6 am until 7:30 am only for customers over the age of 60, who the CDC and local health officials say are most vulnerable during the current pandemic.

"Although Stop & Shop will not be requesting ID for entry, they request that we all respect the purpose of the early opening — and do the right thing for our older neighbors. Stop & Shop will reserve the right to ask customers to leave if they are not a member of this age group," the supermarket chain announced via a press release.

TRINITY DAY SCHOOL

Trinity Day School announced on Saturday, March 14, that it will be closed until further notice.

VNA THRIFT SHOP

The VNA Thrift Shop at Edmond Town Hall is closed until further notice.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

AARP Tax Prep at Newtown Senior Center has been canceled today.

The weekly program has been canceled until further notice, Town of Newtown Human Resources Director Natalie Jackson confirmed to The Newtown Bee on March 15.

(Lunch WILL be served at the senior center today, she also confirmed.)

Newtown Bridge Club games at Edmond Town Hall have been canceled.

The March 16 Fairfield Hills Forum has been canceled.

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

The March 16 and March 23 sessions of Weaving Newtown have been canceled, according to Program Coordinator Jen Rogers.

"We have pressed pause on our weaving classes for March 16 and 23. We’ll reassess the situation after then, likely taking our cue from the Newtown Congregational Church status," Rogers told The Newtown Bee on March 14.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

FAITH Food Pantry is asking clients to remain in their vehicles through at least the end of the month. Volunteers will load groceries, pet food, etc into the trunks of vehicles as they visit the pantry, Tuesdays between 9:30-11:30 am and Thursdays between 6-7:30 pm.

Those making donations are also asked to stay in their vehicles and allow volunteers to unload items.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

The Joy of Art and The Joy of Yoga Nidra, two programs offered by Joy Hoffman at Newtown Congregational on Wednesdays, have been suspended until further notice.

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19-SUNDAY, MARCH 22

The Newtown High School Drama Department spring musical Pippin, scheduled for March 19-22, has been postponed to the weekend of April 30-May 3.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

A CT Mission of Mercy (CTMOM) Free Dental Clinic planned for March 20-21 in Danbury has been postponed “out of abundant caution due to COVID-19,” the group announced March 17. “We are in the process of identifying a date to reschedule the clinic.” Visit cfdo.org/ctmom for updates.

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 School has been canceled.

UPDATE (Friday, March 20): The next two Friday Knight Fish Fry events have also been canceled.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

A CT Mission of Mercy (CTMOM) Free Dental Clinic planned for March 20-21 in Danbury has been postponed (see additional March 20 details).

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

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

The Girl Scouts of Newtown’s Pinewood Derby scheduled for today has been postponed, according to Girl Scouts of Newtown Co-Service Unit Manager Heather Smith.

Today's Newtown Hikers hike has been canceled.

The SCAN Spring Workshop: Watercolors with Bivenne Harvey Staiger has been canceled.

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Newtown Congregational Church will present its second live stream service from its Sanctuary, beginning at 10 am. Senior Pastor Matt Crebbin, Minister of Youth & Formation Kristen Provost Switzer and Organist Phil Crevier will be at the church; all others are asked to remain at home or another location.

The Children's Seder at Newtown Congregational Church has been postponed until further notice,

Newtown United Methodist Church will also present its second live stream service from its Sanctuary, as will Christ the King Lutheran Church.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 23

Senior Indoor Drop-In Pickleball at Edmond Town Hall has been canceled.

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

Tonight's Weaving Newtown class has been canceled.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24

The Garden Club of Newtown 65th Anniversary Luncheon & Program has been postponed to Tuesday, June 9.

In an email to their members that they also shared with The Newtown Bee, Co-Presidents Peggy Jepsen and Kerri Williams said that in light of so many activities and gatherings in Newtown and beyond that have been canceled or postponed due to the virus, "we felt obligated to do so for the safety of everyone concerned."

Tickets from March will be honored in June, they added.

"Our committee has been working diligently to make this event a huge success, and we look forward to holding a spectacular luncheon, just a little later than originally planned," the women said Friday morning.

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

The Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) Gathering at Nostrano has been canceled.

The Joy of Art and The Joy of Yoga Nidra, two programs offered by Joy Hoffman at Newtown Congregational on Wednesdays, have been suspended until further notice.

Newtown Bridge Club games have 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.

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

Receiving for The 50th Annual SCAN Spring Juried Show & Sale (as well as the exhibition), has been postponed; new dates TBA.

Tonight's Flagpole Photographers Camera Club meeting/members competition has been canceled.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPDATE (Friday, March 20): As mentioned above the March 20 and March 27 Friday Knight Fish Fry events have also been canceled.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27-SUNDAY, MARCH 29

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. 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 29

Newtown United Methodist Church will present its third live stream service from its Sanctuary, as will Christ the King Lutheran Church.

MONDAY, MARCH 30

Senior 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 31

*The 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, it was announced March 18.

The decision was made due to "the recent circumstances regarding the Coronavirus," the association announced. "The health and well being of our community is of upmost importance to the NYF&C organization."

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

Newtown Bridge Club games have been canceled.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

The SCAN Spring Workshop: Pastels with Karen Israel has been canceled.

MONDAY, APRIL 6

The Girl Scouts of Newtown All-Girl Meeting scheduled for today has been postponed, according to Girl Scouts of Newtown Co-Service Unit Manager Heather Smith.

Senior Indoor Drop-In Pickleball at Edmond Town Hall has been canceled.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

The Annual Egg Scramble at EverWonder Children’s Museum will be rescheduled to a later date, the museum announced March 13.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

The 13th Annual Newtown Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 25, has been canceled.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

The 3rd Annual Run4Hunger, originally planned for May 10, has been postponed to September 12.