Grasso Festival Was A Success

To the Editor:

On Friday, October 15, the Newtown Nighthawks Marching Band and the NHS Band and Color Guard Parents hosted the fourth annual Joseph P. Grasso Invitational Festival at Jenner Stadium. At this time, we are pleased to declare this year’s edition of the festival to be a success. The proceeds from this and other fundraisers throughout the year are used to support various band and color guard programs at the high school and this year will support the start of a cadet winter guard program at the middle school level.

An event of this scope cannot be a success without the dedication and support of a large group of individuals, organizations and businesses within the area. The list of those that contributed to this effort in any way would be quite long. However, in general, I would like to thank the following for their efforts and contributions: our many sponsors who advertised in our program and/or provided goods or services with special mention for Dunkin’ Donuts, Poland Spring, Frito-Lay, Pepsi, Newtown Pizza Palace, Taunton Hill Landscaping, J.P. Maguire Assoc. and Berkshire Motors.

We heartily thank the Blue & Gold Boosters organization for their overwhelming support as well as Mr Manfredonia and the staff of the high school, the Newtown Babe Ruth League for lending us their bleachers, our performing guests and staff from the Bethel, Danbury, Jonathan Law, Shelton, Trumbull and Norwalk marching bands, festival chairman Frank Wolferseder and the many subcommittee chairs, Tom Zmuda and the culinary arts students, our award presenters (Mr Manfredonia, Michelle Hiscovich, Mike Kelly from Blue & Gold and of course, Mr Grasso), the NHSBPA members and other parents and boosters who planned the event and contributed on festival day, and the staff and members of the Newtown Nighthawks Marching Band.

Thanks to all. Your dedication and effort in support of band and color guard programs at Newtown High School are greatly appreciated. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Thanks again.

Curt Hopkins, President

Newtown High School Band

and Color Guard Parents

23 Timbermill Road, Sandy Hook                         October 24, 1999