Residents are invited to celebrate 90 years of open space preservation and protecting Newtown’s rural character by Newtown Forest Association (NFA) when members host a Sunset Wine Tasting on Saturday, September 6. Small fare, a jazz trio, silent auction and, weather permitting, a spectacular sunset will all be part of the event scheduled to run from 4 to 8 pm at Holcombe Hill Wildlife Preserve, 55 Great Hill Road. Tickets are $35 per person.

“We’ve planned this as a celebration of what we’ve accomplished over 90 years through the generous efforts of our members and donors,” said NFA Treasurer Guy Peterson. “We invite the community to join us for this momentous event to eat, drink, be merry, and meet the board members and others who helped support what we have done.”

NFA President Bob Eckenrode said, “For those of you who have never visited the Holcombe Hill Preserve, you are in for a real treat. It’s 830 feet above sea level with outstanding views and exceptional sunsets.” He hopes the September 6 celebrations will raise awareness of the importance of open space as well as help raise funds to maintain NFA preserves and acquire new parcels of land, he said.

In addition to celebrating the organization’s accomplishments, the NFA is looking to attract new visitors and raise awareness of the NFA’s role in helping maintain Newtown’s rural character.

“While we are hoping to identify new members and future donors who may want to help support our efforts with fiscal or open space donations,” said Mr Eckenrode. “We also want the community to know we can provide advice to land owners on property management and stewardship practices that we use to maintain our preserves.”

To reserve tickets for the event, e-mail nfatreasurer@yahoo.com, call 203-313-5712, or mail a check made out the Newtown Forest Association, Inc with your name and number of tickets you are purchasing to NFA – Sunset Wine Tasting, PO Box 213, Newtown CT 06470.

The NFA is also welcoming volunteers to help finalize plans. One meeting has already been held, but a second planning meetings is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, at 7 pm, at the NFA office, also at Holcombe Hill Wildlife Preserve.

Those who are unable to attend but still want make a contribution or donate items for the silent auction should contact Guy Peterson by e-mail at nfatreasurer@yahoo.com or Bart Smith by phone at 203-313-5712.

Holcombe Hill & NFA

An 86-acre parcel situated on the southerly side of Great Hill Road, Holcombe Hill was donated to NFA in 1997 through the estate of Josephine Holcombe and is one of the NFA’s most popular properties. The second highest elevation in all of Fairfield County, it offers 360-degree panoramic view into three neighboring counties and the 30 acres of protected wildlife meadows.

Served by an independent board of directors, NFA is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation organization that now owns and protects more than 1,100 acres in 70-plus preserves in Newtown. As the town’s largest private landowner (and Connecticut’s oldest private land trust), NFA provides the community with open space for passive recreation such has hiking, dog walking (on-leash only), birding, fishing and wildlife photography.

A private organization, NFA is able to operate independently from the Town of Newtown, enabling it to maintain its mission and goals completely independent of political uncertainties. Learn more at newtownforestassociation.org.