To the Editor:

I just wanted to say thank you to the Newtown Parks and Recreation for running such a wonderful St Patrick’s Day party at the Newtown Teen Center (the Garage) this past Friday night. My daughter had a ball.

When I went to pick her up, I was greeted with tons of happy kids. They were playing ping-pong, foosball and dancing it up while a fun DJ played great clean versions of fun songs. Kids were wearing green with festive headbands and hats. I felt like it was a family wedding or Bat Mitzvah.

The lighting was cheerful and there were games, pizza and snacks. My daughter brought her phone and a couple bucks in case anything was extra (so happy she is getting to work on some of these skills in 6th grade). The party ran from 7-9:30 and parents were encouraged to come in at the end to check the space out.

I drove some girls home afterwards and everyone was all smiles and laughter — they couldn’t believe they played THAT song, she couldn’t believe she won THAT game. I asked if they had their phones out much during the time, they said no, just to take some pictures, and then they were back to being active.

Thank you so much Parks and Recreation!!

I am so proud to have such an amazing center in town and am so appreciative to the people who ran this event. Following a bumpy social time for this age bracket of missed field trips and interactions, this space is so welcomed and again, so appreciated.

I will definitely be volunteering in the future (just may have to wait until my own little lady stops attending, because “gosh, that would be the most embarrassing.”

Sincerely,

Sara Wasley

Newtown