Even Mary Hawley BacksETH Seats Project
Even Mary Hawley Backs
ETH Seats Project
Mary Elizabeth Hawley, Newtownâs benefactress, was spotted recently contributing to the Newtown Lions Clubâs tercentennial project that involves replacing all 411 seats on the lower level of the theater in Edmond Town Hall.
And, indeed, why not? After all it was Ms Hawley who paid for the original building, so it is logical that she would like to keep it in good condition. Unfortunately, there is no money in the budget for upkeep of the auditorium and there has not been any money for this cause for many years.
Mary Elizabeth Hawley, who died in 1932, is depicted by Beth Cluff, who was chosen to represent her in the recent Labor Day Parade. Ms Cluff also is president of the Garden Club of Newtown; the club recently bought one of the seats.
Seats âsellâ for $300 each. This pays for the flooring underneath, the new seat, and an inscription on a plaque on the back of the seat. Inscriptions can be the names of donors, the name of a company, a bit of poetry, or it can memorialize a loved one.
Newtown Lions Club member Gordon Williams, who is chairman of the project, said that so far 265 of the seats have been sold.
âWe have collected additional money because a number of people have chosen to contribute smaller sums than the $300, and we have been the beneficiary of some good fundraisers by various individuals and groups,â he said. âAnd although we want to sell every seat, we welcome all donations, large or small.â
Those who buy seven seats, half of a row, will be recognized at the bronze level on a special plaque in the town hall. Those who purchase a whole row of 14 seats will be recognized at the silver level. And those who contribute $5,000 or more will be honored at the gold level.
Anyone who has questions can call Mr Williams at 426-6443. To contribute, make a check out to the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers and send it to the Newtown Lions Club, Attention Gordon Williams, PO Box 218, NewtownCT 06470.
If you do contribute, Mary Hawley would be proud of you, Mr Williams said.