To the Editor:

Now that the 41st annual summer book sale to benefit our town library has come to a successful close, the Friends would like to thank publicly the more than one hundred volunteers, town officials, school personnel, and local businesses who contributed to its success. For another year the Friends is assured of the funds to underwrite library programs; acquisition of books, DVDs, and other media; and special endeavors like the tabletop game collection, electronic cutting machine, and outdoor furniture.

Our dedicated volunteers - from students to retirees - make the book sale a reality. Particular thanks go to those who volunteer all year round processing donations, and to the Newtown High School students who devote one day each year to the backbreaking work of moving boxes of books, especially the members of the girls' soccer team (coach: Marc Kenney), cheerleading squad (coach: Susan Bridges), and field hockey team (coach: Stephanie Paproski).

Our local officials and school staff provide crucial support during the book sale and throughout the year. We wish to express our gratitude to First Selectman Pat Llodra, Borough Warden Jim Gaston, and Public Works Director Fred Hurley, as well as the Land Use Agency and Police Department; and to Principal Anne Uberti and her staff - particularly the custodians - at the Reed Intermediate School; and to Kitty Latowicki and Gregg Simon at Newtown High School.

The Friends enjoy a special relationship with the staff and governing board of the library. We appreciate the support of Brenda McKinley (library director), and the Board of Trustees (president: Bob Geckle) in this and other fundraising efforts throughout the year.

We have also enjoyed the backing of many local and regional businesses: Armstrong Movers, Associated Refuse Haulers (Pat Caruso), Bagel Delight (Eunice Laverty), Big Y, Bottle Stop Wine and Spirit Superstore, Butcher's Best, Caraluzzi's Market, Carminuccio's Pizza (Eddie Martino), Chartwell, Cork N Barrel, Costco, Dere Street Bakery, Dunkin' Donuts (Jeff Dymerski), Fairground Too! Wines and Liquors, Franco's Pizza and Pasta (Marcio Dossanto), My Place Restaurant, Nestle Water North America, Newtown Hardware, Newtown Savings Bank, People's United Bank, Pudelz Tee Shirts (Jane Hellman), Rooster Wines and Liquor, Shadow Graphics (Jules Falconer), A Sign Depot (Frank Bauer), Stew Leonard's, Stop and Shop, Taylor Rental Company (Matt Lagasse), Trader Joe's, World of Wine & Spirits (Jeff Oetjen), and Yankee Discount Wines & Liquors.

For the first time this year, we also wish to express our gratitude to Kim Proctor (assisted by Barbara Cottingham) for conjuring up a most striking design for our book sale t-shirt.

Finally, we extend our gratitude to all the people who donated the quality books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, etc that were offered at the book sale. Keep those donations coming! The 42th annual summer book sale is already on the drawing boards (July 8 to July 12, 2017).

Sincerely,

Denise A. Kaiser, 2016 book sale chairperson

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Friends of the C.H. Booth Library

25 Main Street, Newtown                                                 July 20, 2016