Get Out Your Dance Card—

A Date Is Set For The Tercentennial Ball

By Jan Howard

The Newtown Tercentennial Steering Committee has finalized the date for the Tercentennial Ball, one of the opening celebratory events for the town’s 300th year in 2005.

Major Events Co-Chairs Janet Woycik and Barbara Kasbarian announced at the committee’s meeting July 8 that February 5 would be the date of the ball, with a snow date of February 12.

The price of tickets for the ball, which will include dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions, has not as yet been determined.

Plans are proceeding for a fireworks display on August 6, 2005, with some changes to the launch site. Mike Fitzsimons, chairman of the fireworks committee, advised the committee the town would not be able to use any of the state-owned land off of Queen Street as previously requested.

Because of that, Mr Fitzsimons had to find another site and is currently looking at part of what will be a town-owned 37-acre parcel adjacent to Commerce Road. He plans to set up a test at the new site and follow up with approvals, such as from fire and police officials.

There is a potential viewing site of three acres along Queen Street, he noted, and he is currently talking to state officials regarding the possibility of using the Governors Horse Guard area as a viewing site, which he termed an “excellent site.” The best viewing site is from Queen Street, but permission is required from the state.

Because of the new location for launching the fireworks, fields at Newtown High School and the middle school are no longer possible sites for viewing, he said.

Fields and ball fields at Reed Intermediate School and ball fields at Kent House on the Fairfield Hills campus would offer 60 to 70 percent viewing areas, Mr Fitzsimons said.

“We want more space than people,” he noted.

Ms Kasbarian and Ms Woycik reported that they have received an offer from Patricia Campbell of The Reel Thing to present a historical music and dance program, with music from the Blackwell Collection based on Newtown’s history. Jigs, reels, and other colonial dances would be featured.

“We’re very pleased to receive this offer,” Ms Woycik said. She and Ms Kasbarian are to meet with Ms Campbell.

Ms Woycik noted that the calendar of events has been changed. The “Tableau Vivant” of Newtown history by Amber Edwards will take place in October instead of September. In May, plans are to have a “Main Street Extravaganza” that would include a walking tour, a historical music and dance program by The Reel Thing, art exhibits, and other appropriate events.

“There are several groups that want to do things,” Ms Woycik said.

Patti Graves has offered to do a graveyard tour of Village Cemetery with information about important historical persons. Chairman Dan Cruson said residents might take the roles of former residents, such as Mary Hawley and other notables.

The tercentennial year will begin in January with Dick and Marie Sturdevant returning the town’s original deed to Newtown from Hartford. Also in January, the beard-growing contest sponsored by the Congregational Church is slated to begin.

Also being planned is a weekend of events in August 2005. In addition to the fireworks display, there will be a townwide picnic co-chaired by Susan McNulty and an old-time baseball game chaired by Ray Shaw.

Volunteer coordinator Gordon Williams recently wrote a letter to residents and businesses offering ideas for events that could be sponsored during the tercentennial year, including a Newtown Trivia event with contests at all school levels using questions prepared by Mr Cruson, a murder mystery night, with or without a dinner, and colonial church services.

He also spoke recently at a Board of Realtors meeting where he discussed the Mystery Dinner project and Trivia Contest.

Mr Williams said that several other organizations have volunteered to help with programs for the tercentennial, such as the Newtown Genealogy Club. The Visiting Nurse Association will sponsor a health hike at Fairfield Hills in the spring of 2005. The Rotary Club, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2005, has volunteered to spearhead a Newtown Trails System that would include trails for bicycles and walking.

“They are in the process of getting rights-of-way,” he said. The Trails System, he said, would be of lasting benefit to the town.

Among other events discussed was a possible time capsule and art shows and exhibits at the library.

The committee also is in need of someone to work with Kathy Beals on the tercentennial website. Mr Cruson said he would act as liaison until a volunteer is found.

Committee Fundraising Committee Chairman John Martocci reported that $18,900 has been raised in donations. Treasurer John Trentacosta reported expenses of $7,291 for T-shirts and other items.

The next meeting of the Newtown Tercentennial Steering Committee will be August 11 at 3:45 in the C.H. Booth Library boardroom.

Tercentennial memorabilia, such as caps, T-shirts, and buttons, are available for purchase at The Newtown Bee, C.H. Booth Library, Newtown Savings Bank offices on Main Street and in Sand Hill Plaza, and the Parks and Recreation Department at Town Hall South.

Donations for the tercentennial celebration may be sent to Newtown Tercentennial Inc, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.