Bicentennial Quilt Is Raffled

For Newtown’s Tercentennial

When the nation’s bicentennial was celebrated in 1976, the Newtown Junior Woman’s Club raffled a handmade rooster quilt. Almost 30 years later the quilt is once again being raffled, this time as a fundraiser for the Newtown Woman’s Club, GFWC, Inc, during the town’s tercentennial.

Marion Thompson won the quilt nearly 30 years ago and decided to donate it this year to the Woman’s Club to raise money for the two projects: Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue (NUSAR), and the Rocky Hill Veterans Home. “Adopt A Wing” at the veterans home is a project of the Connecticut Federation of Woman’s Clubs; NUSAR is a community improvement project of the local club.

“I won the quilt but never really used it, so I decided to donate it for another good cause,” Ms Thompson said, as she and Woman’s Club members Mary Antey and Barbara Krausz hung it over the railing of the stairs in the C.H. Booth Library, where it will be on display until the drawing on November 3.

In 1976 the quilt was donated to the Junior Women’s Club by a committee chaired by Nancy Tilly. Proceeds from that raffle benefited the Newtown Ambulance Association.

Chances on the quilt are $1 and only 1,500 will be sold. There are other prizes as well. Second prize is a Louis Nicole Fashion Doll (a ballerina); third are handmade Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls (celebrating their 90th birthday this year); fourth prize is a black doll dressed in a nightgown.

Chances will be sold on Saturday, September 3, and Monday, September 5, from 9 am to noon in front of Dunkin’ Donuts in the Queen Street Shopping Center. They will also be available from Woman’s Club members and at the circulation desk of the Booth Library. Chance holders need not be present to win.

For additional information or tickets call Marion Thompson at 426-0253 or Barbara Krausz at 426-0738.