Exhibition Offers Look At A Possible Town Flag

By Shannon Hicks

Last Sunday afternoon a small group gathered in the lower meeting room of C.H. Booth Library to celebrate the opening reception for “A Flag For Newtown: Tercentennial Folk Art Flag Show.” A collection of folk art-style paintings, antique paintings, new sculpture and a handmade flag had been assembled for the exhibition, which will remain on view at the library through the end of the month.

Many of the paintings had been done by show organizer Mae Schmidle, and others were from Mrs Schmidle’s personal collection. Another piece, a three part sculpture, was done by fellow Newtown resident Brigette Sorensen.

The event opened with a flag ceremony performed by Girl Scouts of Newtown. Seven Girl Scouts, representing different levels of Girl Scouting, entered the meeting room. Participating in a ceremony that honored the American flag and four Girl Scout flags were Girl Scout in Charge (Caller) Faith Mantiafico from Cadet Troop 764 and Flag Guard Helene Sorensen, from Junior Troop 174. Color Guard members were Erica Benoit, Danielle Chaloux, and Nicole Chaloux, all from Junior Troop 138; Hannah Fitzgerald, Brownie Troop 154; and Morgan Macchiarulo, also from Troop 138.

Among the guests on Sunday were Monroe First Selectman Andrew Nunn and Bethel First Selectman Alice Hutchinson. Members of Newtown’s Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) hosted the event. State Rep Julia Wasserman did the ribbon cutting honors to officially open the exhibition, and BPW President Jeanne Malota offered welcoming remarks.

“It’s always interesting to see what the maps of 300 years ago looked like, especially when compared to the maps of today,” he said.

Mr Kehoe also read a note from Governor M. Jodi Rell, who was unable to attend the ceremony. He then thanked the Girl Scouts for their flag ceremony, and asked members of the Tercentennial Commission to raise their hands for recognition.

While the show was a celebration of Newtown and flags both real and symbolic, the possibility of an official Newtown flag became a possibility this week. Mrs Schmidle had designed a flag that incorporated the traditional Betsy Ross design of 13 stripes alternating red and white with a blue canton featuring a circle of 13 stars with a yellow rooster embroidered in the center of the circle of stars.

There is now talk that this flag may soon become an official symbol for Newtown.

Mrs Schmidle said Town Historian Dan Cruson plans to discuss the idea with Newtown Historical Society within the week and hopes to receive approval from the society to back the flag. Mrs Schmidle will also raise the issue during the next Tercentennial Commission meeting.

“Ultimately this will be an executive decision put to the town’s Executive Board,” she said. “We’re aiming to get this designation in time for the big birthday bash [in August].”

Meanwhile, the flag is temporarily in Hartford. Mrs Wasserman and State Representive DebraLee Hovey (R-112) each approached Mrs Schmidle with offers to have the flag flown at the State Capitol.