Celebrating Historic Families

To the Editor:

The Tercentennial Committee to Celebrate Historic Newtown Families is honored and pleased at the overwhelming response from our Historic Families and their willingness to share their family histories and memorabilia on the occasion of our 300th Anniversary.

This has been a most memorable experience of sharing and learning about our roots and the people whose influence, leadership, energy, and heart have helped make Newtown the great town it is today. Some of these people are the descendants of the early settlers who built our first meetinghouse (still here), laid out our major north/south, east/west roads (still here), fought for us to be our own self-governing town (still here), demanded a good education for our children (still demanding), and fought to maintain our signature flag pole in the middle of the Main Street (still fighting).

For many families showcasing their histories at this event, it was the first time they had ever shared their family accomplishments, joys and sorrows, and we wholeheartedly thank them for their wonderful sharing. And we applaud and appreciate the many people, undaunted by snow and sleet, who came to see and appreciate the true unedited local history of Newtown.

A colossal thanks to an outstanding committee who worked to create an event so special to Newtown and its history that many people will never forget it! Thank you Sally O’Neill, Barbara Bloom, Marg Studley, Colleen Honan, Marie Walker, Cindy DaSilva, and Joan Glover Crick.

With wholehearted thanks,

Mae S. Schmidle, Chair

53 Echo Valley, Newtown                                        December 6, 2005