After several years of doing everything he could to improve the athletic experience at Newtown High School, from raising money to slapping hot dots and hamburgers on the grill, Mike Kelley has finally called it quits.

Mr Kelley resigned last week as president of the Blue & Gold Booster Club after six years.

While the Blue & Gold has helped to support Newtown athletics in so many ways – from funding certain projects to offering $1,000 scholarships to six graduating seniors – it’s biggest success was the lighting of the football field and the construction of the new concession stand and press box.

Mr Kelley was a driving force behind that almost monumental project. For his efforts in that regard, he was named, along with his friend, Rich Barillari, as the 1999 Newtown Bee Sportsmen of the Year.

But with the project completed and the loan from the Newtown Savings Bank paid off, Mr Kelley felt it was time to move on. Besides, his new position at the NewBold Corporation will have him traveling extensively – so there is no more chance to get a hot dog personally grilled by Mr Kelley himself.

In a brief meeting following the Newtown-Bethel football game on Friday, September 14, a new slate of officers was elected.

James Ryan will take over as president of the Blue & Gold Booster Club while Dan Barrett will take over as vice-president. Walter Pachniuk was named treasurer while Alan Helfer was named secretary and Pam McLaughlin was named membership head.

In the wake of his resignation, Mr Kelley submitted this open letter to The Newtown Bee:

 

Gentlemen:

The purpose of this letter is to personally thank each of you and the entire staff at the Bee for everything that you have done over the past six years.

During my tenure as president of the NHS Blue & Gold Booster Club; through the efforts of the Bee and with the financial support of residents of Newtown and the Greater Danbury area, the NHS Blue & Gold Booster Club was able to complete the new building and finish the lighting project overlooking the main field at Newtown High School two years ago. The mortgage that had been graciously extended to us by Newtown Savings Bank was completely paid, thanks to a very generous final contribution by Mr Rich Barillari, owner of Dunkin Donuts of Newtown.

The NHS Booster Club charter calls for us to support all authorized athletic programs at NHS. Our record of giving to all programs has been quite evident in the past and it will continue for many years, under the guidance of our new slate of officers. After six years it is more than time for me to pass the baton. There are more names of people that have made this program prosper over this time than would fit on your editorial page.

A special thank you is needed for everyone over the years who have been members, officers and volunteers. If you happen to know someone who has been involved, please tell him or her thanks from all of the Newtown High School athletes who have benefited from their generosity. Special thanks needs to go to Mr Hebert Rosenthal, our first selectman, who introduced Mr Barillari and I to Mr John Martocci, president and CEO of Newtown Savings Bank. If Mr Martocci did not believe in what it was we were trying to do and have the confidence that somehow this little organization was going to pay back the mortgage, nothing would have ever started. Next time you are in one of their branches, say thanks from the kids!

Last year, profits from the fall concession program allowed us to give six $1,000 scholarships to Newtown High School athletes whose parents had been active members of the booster club for one year. We do hope to be able to offer scholarships again this year. The new officers and the amount of funds available will determine the number of scholarships. Again this year, you will have to be an NHS athlete whose parents have been an active member for one year. Memberships are now due for the 2001-2002 school year and the forms are available from all the coaches at Newtown High School.

In closing, I do need to make a special thank you to all of my neighbors down on Bridge End Farm, Walnut Tree and Ford Road, who have been so supportive on all of my last minute requests for help. The most sincere thank you is saved for my wife Mary, my son Patrick and Pat, Rich, Jen and Rich Barillari Jr., who have put up with all of the nights and weekends of my ravings over the last six years.

Please join me in welcoming the new officers and make sure that you join the booster club again this year!