Photo: Smith family members were joined Tuesday afternoon, June 20, by staff of The Newtown Bee and Antiques and The Arts Weekly, in front of the office at 5 Church Hill Road. The Newtown Bee celebrates 140 years of publication on June 28. Pictured center are Scott Baggett, production manager; Greg Smith, Sherri Smith Baggett, business manager (with Piper, the office dog); Helen Smith, and Newtown Bee Publisher R. Scudder Smith.

Gathered with the Smith family, beginning sixth from left and going clockwise, are Newtown Bee Editor Nancy Crevier, Anne Kugielsky, Anna Kalinowski, Debra Nozzolillo, Fred Taylor, Susan Leniart, John Voket, Bridget Seaman, Andy Gorosko, Andy Hutchison, Don Miner, Linda Baur, Greg Smith, Antiques & The Arts Weekly Editor Laura Beach, Will Demers, Janis Gibson, Alissa Silber, Doreen Kelleher, Matthew Devereaux, Sandy Tannone, Deb Spaziante, Barbara Ruscoe, Jackie Dee, Ellen Therrien, Sandy Morici, Lynn Remson, Janet Egan, Kendra Bobowick, and Cindie Niemiera.

Unavailable for the photo were Shannon Hicks, Carol Fenn, Bill Liebold, Ben Smith, Andrea Valluzzo, Kate Sasanoff, Donna Birch, Jill Baimel, Eliza Hallabeck, Dotty Gerardi, Brian Sacco, Emery Klein, Frank LaPak, and Jilliene Becht. Printing facility part-time employees are Michael Del Valle, Ben Ford, Eileen Hardiman, Pete Pollitt, Matt Seaman, and Ashley Zenhye. (Sandra Lynn Photography)

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This week, The Newtown Bee gets to blow her own horn a bit this week, in anticipation of her 140th birthday. The Bee's first copy rolled off the press June 28, 1877, with Bethel publisher and editor John Pearce at the helm. Mr Pearce's scattered focus — sometimes printing the paper, sometimes not — did not do for the paper what has been accomplished since the paper was purchased by the Smith family in 1881: continuous weekly publication.

In the more than 7,000 weeks since, The Newtown Bee has made its mark as the local source for respected and reliable news, winning numerous awards and honors for writing, advertising, and editorial content. Generations of families have opened wide the eight-column broadsheet newspaper, seeking information about town government and meetings, school updates, public hearings, and townwide activities, not to mention stories about the intriguing residents who populate the community - and a chance to spot a photograph of someone they know.

Since 1995, Newtown Bee readers have had instant news at their fingertips, as well, with the advent of Connecticut's first online newspaper website, www.thebee.com, now a roundabout address to www.newtownbee.com.

The Newtown Bee has grown alongside the town. Within these walls, reporters and editors strive to bring readers the news they want and need, each and every week; The Bee Publishing Company is the go-to source for those interested in the antiques and arts world, as well, with The Bee's sister publication, Antiques and The Arts Weekly.

We provide extensive coverage to school and town sports teams, in print, online, and with high-quality photography. Schools count on education reporting that is accurate, and the public and private schools in town know that in the pages of The Bee they will find a record of school highlights, from preschool tea parties to graduation. Full lists of honors and awards bestowed on students are gladly shared with the community in The Newtown Bee, coverage that far exceeds what regional publications can provide. We are privileged to bring the news of our friends and neighbors into homes and businesses, honored that so many willingly share travails and triumphs with our staff.

Housed since 1903 in the familiar red clapboard building on Church Hill Road topped with a bee weathervane, the staff of The Newtown Bee has left an indelible mark on the community.

It is a far different news world than that of 140 years ago, when Smith brothers Reuben H. and Allison P. jumped in the buggy or pounded the muddy roads of Newtown and surrounding communities to gather, write, and distribute the news. But by remaining true to its mission to deliver the news in a fair and straightforward manner — and embracing technology — this paper has survived and thrived. That is something to boast about, for a 140-year-old.

There is a special attention that community members have come to expect from

From the days when brothers Reuben and Allison delved into the business, next bringing in brother Arthur in 1892, and on down through Paul Smith and current publisher, R. Scudder Smith, the family's dedication has been one of service to the town. Sponsoring sports teams, supporting the arts, participating in Chamber of Commerce, Rotarian, Lions, and various other organizations' events, and of course, the creation of The Pleasance, Newtown's public garden at the corner of Sugar Street and Main Street, the Smith family and

Where do we go from here? Still spry at the ripe old age of a century-plus-forty, we foresee a continued commitment to the town, to our advertisers, and to our readers. For without them, we could not bring the tales of the town to life.

Thank you, to all who have made the past 140 years a pleasurable experience. We remain in your service.