A Magical Evening

In The Ram Pasture

To the Editor:

How many Newtowners does it take to create a magical evening for the 28h year in a row? Well, let’s see…

There are all the volunteers who pack up and deliver luminarias to all the residents along Main Street, Glover Avenue, and Lovell’s Lane, who then faithfully prepare and light them at the appointed time. There are the donators of candles (Newtown Hardware and Chamber of Commerce), luminaria boxes (Curtis Packaging), cookies (Union Savings Bank), hot chocolate (People’s United Bank), and candy canes (C of C). The Sustainable Energy Commission donated “new this year” LED lights for the Christmas tree, which is maintained year-round by Dan Dalton. There are volunteers who screw bulbs into sockets and others who get those lights up on the tree (Stan Perrone with assistant CJ Loomis and the help of the Newtown Highway Department). Parks and Rec, under the direction of Amy Mangold, works behind the scenes to be sure the sand is in place for luminarias use, Ram Pasture is ready, luminarias are placed all around Ram Pasture and Elm Drive, and the pasture is returned to its original condition by Saturday noon. Staff members Linda Bradley-Gillette John Moore, Robert Fritzinger and Richard Paloian had the honor of lighting this year’s tree as representatives of the entire Parks and Recreation staff.

We can’t forget the volunteers who light the luminarias at the pasture (the Leo Club and Girl Scout Troops 50706 and 50651) and those who help to remove them the following morning (Pack 470 Cub Scouts). The Newtown Hook & Ladder provides light for the evening of gathering and celebrating; the Newtown High School Singers wow us with their melody and harmony after the Newtown Varsity Dancers kick up a storm in a very small area, thanks to Jane Matson and Cheryl Schwartz; Newtown’s own LeReine Frampton offers free bus transportation from our cars to the pasture and back; Santa and Mrs Claus (Bob Schmidt and Marie Walker) listen to requests amid the happy din; the Newtown Police and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps make sure we are all home safely again. Our own Chamber of Commerce funds the event, with the help of residents who donate bulbs or luminarias through the memorial coupons in The Newtown Bee

Last and best, there are the two women who have made this event happen for 28 years through rain, sleet, snow, and mishaps too many to mention: Diana Johnson and Janet Woycik. Bless you and thank you for another wonderful Tree Lighting and Luminaria at Ram Pasture!

Joy Kopesky

Tree Lighting and Luminaria Committee Member

30 Parmalee Hill Road, Newtown                         December 7, 2011