Newtown Woman’s Club Celebrates

40 Years Of Philanthropy And Friendship

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Stony Hill Inn on Route 6 in Bethel was swarming with activity Thursday, March 20, as 80 members of the Newtown Woman’s Club, General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) and honored guests gathered to celebrate the organization’s 40th Anniversary. The GFWC is the largest and oldest nondenominational international service organization.

According to the club’s literature, the purpose of the local organization is to promote friendship and “provide opportunities for organized interest and participation in social, cultural, philanthropic, intellectual and civic affairs of the Newtown Community.”

The club grew quickly from the initial ten members — Ella Brown, Mary Lou Nelson, Mollie Smith, Elsa Knight, Margaret Julien, Kay Kuhn, Coke Cramer, Vivien Hessler, Lorraine VanderWende, and Maggie McMaster — who met March 25, 1968, to 100 members who today support many local community programs. The Bloodmobile, Kevin’s Community Center, Danbury Women’s Shelter, Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue, Newtown Ambulance, Regional Hospice, Newtown Fire Departments, Widows and Orphans Policy Premium, FAITH Food Pantry, Booth Library, and the Newtown Scholarship Fund are among those that have benefited from the club’s generosity.

The Newtown Woman’s Club holds several fundraisers every year to support charities. One of the more popular is the annual pewter Christmas ornament, first sold in 1988, featuring a design by Lorraine VanderWende of a notable Newtown structure and crafted at Woodbury Pewter. Since June 2001, the Newtown Woman’s Club GFWC has raised more than $85,000 for local and state charities.

While members milled about the banquet room Thursday sharing stories, enjoying refreshments, and viewing the display of crafts entered in the club’s annual contest, club president Peg Forbell greeted dignitaries Congressman Chris Murphy, State Senator John McKinney, State Representatives Julia Wasserman and DebraLee Hovey, Newtown First Selectman Joe Borst, GFWC Connecticut President Jeanne Waseleski, and District I Director of the GFWC Eileen Brunner as they arrived.

Congressman Murphy and First Selectman Borst offered words of praise to club members preceding the luncheon, followed by remarks from Senator McKinney and Representative Hovey.

Congressman Murphy emphasized the importance of civic groups such as the Newtown Woman’s Club, noting that the local chapter has “an impressive list of accomplishments.” He jokingly added that it might be a good idea for him to bring the Collect For Club Women creed back to Washington, D.C., which says in part, “May we put away all pretense and meet each other fact to face, without self-pity and without prejudice. May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous… let us forget not to be kind!”

Congressman Murphy also commended Representative Julia Wasserman who was at the event. Mrs Wasserman recently announced she will not run for another term. “It was wonderful to serve with Julia Wasserman,” said Congressman Murphy. “She will be greatly missed by her friends in Hartford.” He then offered his congratulations to the club and presented a Certificate of Congressional Recognition before turning over the podium to First Selectman Borst.

Mr Borst said that he had made time to read the history of the Newtown Woman’s Club after having arrived home late from a meeting the night before and was amazed at what the women in Newtown do. “When do you sleep?” he asked. He then read to the group a proclamation from the Town of Newtown on the club’s 40th Anniversary, “On behalf of all town citizens to congratulate members of GFWC Newtown Club.” Mr Borst took a moment to urge club members, as a civic organization, to vote in the upcoming spring referendum. “You know we are having a problem getting the high school program approved,” he said. “The kids of town deserve a good education and we still have time to rectify the situation,” said the selectman, referring to the March 17 2-1 vote by the Board of Selectmen to eliminate the Capital Improvement Plan for the high school expansion. “Take time to read the charter revisions and continue to be active. Come out and vote. Do your duty for the town of Newtown.”

Peg Forbell read letters of regret from the offices of Senator Joe Lieberman and Governor M. Jodi Rell, who had been invited to the 40th Anniversary celebration, but were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. US Senator Christopher Dodd sent his regrets, as well, saying that the Newtown Woman’s Club was an “excellent example of service. I commend you on your fine job,” wrote the senator.

“We don’t stop our fundraising for the 40th Anniversary celebration,” warned Ms Forbell, encouraging those present to take part in the 50/50 raffle, before sitting down to enjoy conversation and a fine lunch with the guests of honor.

Senator John McKinney remarked that he was delighted to be present. “I congratulate the club for their tremendous contribution to the community. It is difficult for my generation to be involved in volunteerism and this club is a perfect example of why volunteerism is so important. When you look at the number of charities [the Newtown Woman’s Club] has helped, it’s hard to imagine Newtown without their help,” he said.

“As I think about this group, I think about how their friendships impact our community,” said Rep Hovey, reflecting on the Newtown Woman’s Club. “That circle has grown under the good works that they do. As a public servant myself, I’m very proud of that community service and volunteerism.”

The luncheon closed with remarks from Ms Forbell, a club history presented by Ms VanderWende and Ms Cramer, announcement of the Best in Show winners for the craft entries, and a satisfied dispersion of members.

“I was very pleased with the program,” commented Ms Forbell following the event. “Of course, I have many people to thank for that, especially Barbara Krausz, who was the 40th Anniversary chairperson. She was ill and unable to attend, but she had done so much prep work that everything went smoothly. Rosemary Rau made our programs, and Calla Sellner made the beautiful floral arrangements for the tables with flowers donated by Stop & Shop.”

Ms Forbell also said that the presence of local and state dignitaries was appreciated by the membership. “It was wonderful that [the honored guests] were able to spend some time with us,” she said. “It is nice that members know people care about what they do.”