Pat Bailey was very happy to be at Newtown Police Department recently.

The co-chair of the committee that leads the creation and sales of the popular ornaments sold by Newtown Woman’s Club was first to arrive for a meeting with three members of the local department. Bailey’s job that morning was to photograph them for this year’s ornament.

“We’ve done these ornaments since 1988, and this is the first time we will have people on it,” she said. “We’re very excited about this.”

The first pewter ornament featured a rooster, featured on the town seal. In 1989, a bumble bee was featured, honoring The Newtown Bee.

In the years since, the ornaments have featured landmark buildings or locations, among them Newtown Meeting House, the former Hawleyville Post Office and Hawley Manor.

Bailey was joined outside 191 South Main Street the morning of June 12 by Woman’s Club President Millie Anderson and Co-Committee Chair LeReine Frampton. The trio was soon joined by two police officers and the department’s K-9 officer.

Officers Felicia Figol and Matthew Hayes and K-9 Aris were invited to be the models for the pewter ornament, which will be the 36th in the series. The final design, according to Bailey, will probably not include the badge, but will include an American flag.

Large cement planters in front of the building will also not be included in the artwork, she said.

The focus, said Bailey, is on the police officers who protect and serve.

After she took the photos a few weeks ago, Bailey sent them to Cynthia Gillette. The artist uses images from the club to create pen and ink illustrations from which the ornaments are created.

Within a week Bailey had already received a draft from Gillette, who clearly understood what the club was looking for.

Newtown Police Department Chief David Kullgren told The Newtown Bee last week that he, too, was pleased with the decision to feature police officers on the 2023 pewter ornament.

“I would like to express my utmost admiration and appreciation for the men and women of the Newtown Police Department who are being honored with a Christmas ornament,” Kullgren said. “This recognition by the Newtown Woman’s Club is a testament to our officers’ unwavering dedication and commitment to serving and protecting their community.

“Their selflessness, bravery, and tireless efforts deserve to be celebrated, and this ornament serves as a heartfelt reminder of their invaluable service. May their courage and compassion continue to inspire us all,” Kullgren added.

The double-sided ornament will again be produced by Woodbury Pewter. The club plans to introduce the ornament around Labor Day, as has been tradition since the fundraiser’s inception.

Also continuing tradition, an insert with each ornament will offer history of the department. Town Historian Ben Cruson has taken on that role, continuing in the footsteps of his late father in recent years.

Proceeds from ornament sales are donated by Newtown Woman’s Club to local civic organizations.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.