To the Editor:

For those of us who have lived in Newtown all of our lives, we often get asked “what was Newtown like 50-60 years ago?”

Last Sunday afternoon at the Dickinson Park pavilion, it was like old Newtown. Just for the record, even though the town has increased in population and development over the years, I still live in town, and enjoy living in present day Newtown.

Local bands have been playing Labor Day weekend for the last 10 years, organized by the band Panacea members, brother and sister, Corky and Leslie Ballard. Panacea, like other local bands, played in high school, then local clubs, and literally becoming professional musicians.

Willie, Portera Trio is another Newtown band who have played over the years on Labor Day weekend.

Attending last Sunday’s event was like old Newtown. An all star band of 11 musicians were put together and performed for a 3 hour concert. It felt like old Newtown, where most attendees either grew up in town, or have lived here most of their lives. An atmosphere where people knew each other’s siblings and parents, and knew each other’s former neighborhoods and homesteads. After all the waves and handshakes, the conversations became of old Newtown and memories gave you a real feeling of caring about each other.

Corky and Leslie organized a professional level concert, and people in attendance enjoyed a feeling of happiness all afternoon.

A feeling that was just like Old Newtown,

Kevin A. Cragin

Newtown