Realtors Sell Pewter Porringers To Benefit Tercentennial

By Kaaren Valenta

The Newtown Board of Realtors is sponsoring the sale of custom-designed pewter porringers, emblazoned with the Tercentennial seal, to benefit the town’s activities marking the 2005 Tercentennial.

The porringers, manufactured by Woodbury Pewter, will be on sale for $20 beginning this weekend at the Rotary Pancake Breakfast in Edmond Town Hall and at the C.H. Booth Library during the Holiday Festival on Sunday. All profits will be donated to the Tercentennial Committee.

“We were looking for a way to raise money for events like the fireworks that the Tercentennial Committee is planning for next year,” explained realtor Marie Fodor of Coldwell Banker/Bob Tendler. Ms Fodor, with Sue Catino and Jill Wolowicz of Prudential Connecticut Realty, made up the committee that came up with the idea for the porringer.

“We discussed a lot of possibilities including a calendar but we wanted something unique,” Ms Wolowicz said. “A lot of time was spent on this project.”

One day Ms Catino happened to look at a porringer that she used when her now-grown children were infants, and thought,“Why not?”

“They are a nice idea because the porringer is a historic item; it is representative of the town; and it has so many uses,” Ms Fodor said. “It is decorative but also practical. You can use it as a dish for mints, to hold coins or your rings and watches, to set a bottle of wine in during dinner, as a baby or bridesmaid gift, or to give as a hostess gift.”

The three realtors got the approval of the Tercentennial Committee to use the logo and worked with Woodbury Pewter to come up with the final design. They ordered 150 porringers, which immediately sold out, so they quickly ordered 250 more.

Unlike silver, pewter requires a minimum of care. If used to serve food, washing with a mild detergent and drying with a soft cloth after use is usually all that is needed, according to Woodbury Pewter.

After this weekend, the porringers will be available, while the supply lasts, at the Booth Library circulation desk or by calling Marie Fodor at 426-5679 or Sue Catino and Jill Wolowicz at 426-8426.