Life in Newtown, CT

Newtown, CT Parks and Recreation  We try to post useful information that helps people to know more about Newtown.  Last April, we posted about Golf Courses and Parks in Newtown.  In this post, we mentioned Newtown Parks and Recreation, as they run the town parks.  Newtown Parks and Recreation is responsible for more than the town parks - they also have Town Programs.

Newtown Parks and Recreation puts out new programs each season.  They print up a nice program that describes each program and gives the schedule for each one.  Programs are very diverse and some are broken out by age range.  Here's a sampling of what Newtown Parks and Recreation typically offers:

• Swimming at the Newtown High School and the town pool at Treadwell Park
• Day Trips - there is usually one to NYC
• Computer Courses
• Adult Programs - Yoga, Knitting, Portuguese, Pilates
• Fun for All Ages - Legos, Claymation Moviemaking, Skating at Dickinson Park
• Youth Programs - Dance, Home Cooking, Etiquette
• Youth and Teen Programs - "The Garage" Teen Center, Intro to Animation
• Teen and Adult Programs - Self Defense, Zumba, Scrapbooking
• There are even Kidsfit Programs and Preschool Programs!

The newest park to Newtown Parks and Recreation is the dog park located over at Fairfield Hills.  We understand that it will be called "Park and Bark".  There are many places in Newtown to walk your dog, but the dog park will be a nice place for dogs to play together.

When you see the next Newtown Parks and Recreation flyer, check it out and sign up for a class or two.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Ram Pasture, Newtown, CT  We recently posted a blog, Pictures of Newtown, CT.  The photos posted are all iconic Newtown, CT images, but the one location that we frequently pass by is Ram Pasture.

Ram Pasture is located at the intersection of Route 25 and Route 302 (Sugar Street).  It's a big open field with a pond.  The annual holiday tree lighting takes place here and until recently, we didn't really know much more about Ram Pasture.

So, Richelle took a trip to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library to find out more.  There she found "A Mosaic of Newtown History", a book written by Dan Cruson, Town Historian.  Inside were several pages about the history of Ram Pasture which were quite informative.  Here is a little history:

• The original name for this section of land was "Home Common" and it contained what is today known as Ram Pasture
• Ram Pasture was owned by individual town residents until it was reassembled as a 12.5 acre parcel of land by Mary Hawley, Newtown's benefactress, in the 1920's
• Upon Mary Hawyley's death, ownership of Ram Pasture went briefly to Yale University. 
• The Newtown Village Cemetery Association maintains this property
• In all likelihood, very few rams actually grazed on Ram Pasture

Ram Pasture is quite pretty and a very peaceful place.  It is a reminder of Newtown's history and of days gone by. 

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

The Inn at Newtown, Newtown, CT  We recently posted a blog, Pictures of Newtown, CT.  The photos posted are all iconic Newtown, CT images, with one being The Inn at Newtown.

To many long time residents, The Inn at Newtown is still the Hawley.  The Hawley Manor was the name of this business from approximately 1930, when Mary Hawley died, until 1999 when the establishment was sold to the current owners.

The Inn at Newtown is comprised of several distinct parts:

1. The Tavern:  The more casual part of the restaurant.  Get a table by the windows in front & watch life in Newtown.  The bar is also located in this area.
2. The Restaurant:  The more formal part of the restaurant.
3. The Fairchild Room:  Great space for a private party.  Weddings.  Birthday parties.  Graduation parties.  Banquets.  Business dinners.  Anniversaries.  Church socials.  Family reunions.  Sports team dinners.  Bereavement dinners.
4. Proud Mary's:  Open Friday and Saturday night.  Proud Mary's has a separate entrance from the parking lot side of the building.  The fireplace with seating, make for a cozy place to have a drink
5. Outdoor Dining:  During the warmer months, enjoy your meal AND eat outside on the deck.

The Inn at Newtown is centrally located on Main Street - just Sorth of the Flagpole.  The Inn at Newtown holds wine tasting events, has special Holiday menus and great hamburgers with tabasco onions!

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

The Newtown General Store, Newtown, CT  We recently posted a blog, Pictures of Newtown, CT.  The photos posted are all iconic Newtown, CT images, but one of our favorites, is The Newtown General Store.

The Newtown General Store is a local deli and is like taking a step back in time.  When walking up to the front door, you'll notice the benches on either side of the front door and the large windows.  You can look inside to see who is eating at the front tables & wave to those you know.

The wide plank wooden floors are uneven and show the age of the building.  The high ceilings and the centrally located counter with the candy jars bring back memories of years gone by.  There is a builletin board at the front of the building filled with business cards and flyers of upcoming events in Newtown.  The newspaper stand is also located in the front of the store - right by the entry door.

As you walk toward the ordering counter in the rear of the store, you'll pass the coffee center.  Grab a cup to sip while on line for your food.  As you continue toward the rear, take a moment to look at all the items for sale on the wall of shelves.  Items range from earrings to Newtown items to vintage reproductions of old time items.

The sandwich board is above the ordering counter.  It shows such favorites as "The Flagpole", "The Hawleyville" and the "Sandy Hook".  Egg sandwiches of all kinds are a favorite.  You can order a platter of sandwiches or a large grinder.  They recently had a sign up for football specials.  Specials are posted daily, as well as the soups of the day.

Chips are located across from the counter.  Cold beverages are located along the wall as you go up to pay at the centrally located counter.  If the tables in the front are full, you can generally find one in the rear of the store.

The Newtown General Store is a town favorite.  It's centrally located on Main Street - just North of the Flagpole.  Parking is out front.  Staff is friendly.  Food is great and plentiful.  Call ahead to 203 426-9901 so your food will be ready when you arrive.  We look forward to seeing you at The Newtown General Store, Newtown, CT.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Pictures of Newtown, CT  Newtown, CT is a very picturesque town located in Northern Fairfield County, Connecticut.  Newtown possesses a lot of the charm and character that you'd expect to find in a small New England town.  We thought we'd show you.  Enjoy pictures of Newtown, CT!

Pictures of Newtown, CT were all taken by local photographer, Leonard Lampel. 

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
(203) 470-9818

Bob and Richelle Ward Named Realtors of the Month  Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, were named Sales Executives of the Month for November 2009.  This is a regional award that is given out monthly to Realtors who have demonstrated committment to Prudential Connecticut Realty's core values while providing extraordinary service and sales results.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Newtown, CT's Wednesday Night Poetry Series  Here is some great localism!  Found this little ditty today while searching the web and I found it to be pretty interesting.  Many non-residents think that Newtown is in the sticks and that we have limited exposure to "culture and the arts".

Newtown's Wednesday Night Poetry Seriesis a fine example of what Newtown has to offer.  Here is an except from their website:

"The Wednesday Night Poetry Series (WNPS or Wedpoetry)  meets at the Blue Z Coffeehouse, 127 South Main Street (Route 25) in Newtown CT.  For 14 Years and counting: poets, spoken-word artists, monologists and storytellers, acoustic performances by songwriters and musicians are welcome!  Read your own work or works by your favorite writers. OPEN MYK SIGN-UP starts at 7:30 PM   / OPEN MYK - 7:45 PM /FEATURED READING - 8:45 PM

We are a warm, friendly environment for 1st-time readers!"

So, if you're looking for something different to do on a Wednesday night, stop by the Blue Z Coffeehouse and check out Newtown, CT's Wednesday Night Poetry Series.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Newtown, CT Holiday Tree Lighting  Last night, the Newtown, CT Holiday Tree Lighting at the Ram's Pasture took place.  This is an annual event that usually takes place on the first Friday of December.  It's truly one of the most beautiful evenings in Newtown.  The roads leading to Rams Pasture are all lined with lighted luminaries (small paper bags with cutout on them with candles inside).  Town residents attend this event in great numbers.

Click here to view a slideshow of the Newtown, CT Holiday Tree Lighting.

If you ever have an opportunity to attend the Newtown, CT Holiday Tree Lighting, you should take advantage of it.  It doesn't get too much more New England than this one!

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Does Unplugging the Toaster Really Lower Your Electric Bill?  If you are like us, when you were a child and you left the lights on in your bedroom when you left the room, did you father say, "Turn the lights out, I don't own stock in the electric company"?

A few years ago, our daughter was leaving the lights on in every room in our house.  We found ourselves sounding just like our fathers (as much as we said we would never do that).  The more we carried on about the electric bill, the more lights she left on.  Finally, she went off to college and that's when our little experiment started. 

Richelle created a spreadsheet.  The spreadsheet shows each electric bill we've received since January 2007.  2007 is a full year of electrical usage with our daughter living at home.  2008 is the transition year and 2009 is a full year of usage without our daughter living at home.  The spreasheet shows our monthly usage of kilowatt/hour (kwh) and the amount of each electric bill.  Then we went around the house and unplugged everything that is not used every day:

• cell phone chargers
• ipod chargers
• charger for our Realtor keys
• table lamps
• toaster
• the printer
• electric toothbrushes
• laptop cords

Every month, Richelle updated her spreadsheet.  The results were incredible - unplugging all this stuff and no child living at home really lowered our electric bill!  Have a look for yourself.

You can clearly see from Richelle's spreadsheet that we have cut our electric bill almost in half.  Just the savings alone from 2007 and 2008 was $527.87!

Does Unplugging the Toaster Really Lower Your Electric Bill?  The answer is a resounding YES!  The changes we made in what is plugged in and what isn't plugged in hasn't affected our lives too much.  And, we no longer sound like our fathers.  Over the 2 year period shown in the spreadsheet, we've just about cut our electric bill in half.  Any suggestions on what we should do with our extra money?

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Flagpole Networkers BNI - Newtown, CT  Business Network Int'l (BNI) was started in 1985 with a single purpose: to develop the referral business of the members. From that point, BNI has grown to the vast networking group it has become.

BNI is in 42 countries with over 100,000 members. There are almost 1,500 members in Connecticut in almost 60 Chapters. We allow one person per profession to join each chapter, thus guaranteeing exclusivity to the members in their business category.

Annual membership in BNI costs less than a business suit - it's the most cost-effective way to market yourself in today's highly competitive marketplace. If you value having 30, 40, or more other business people marketing you to others, then BNI is the right place for you!

BNI has many local chapters and the Newtown Chapter is Flagpole Networkers BNI.  This chapter meets at the Newtown Congregational Church on Wednesday mornings from 8:00 am to 9:30 am.  Flagpole Networkers BNI is a relatively new chapter and new members are welcome.

Here is a list of the Flagpole Networker's BNI members - feel free to contact any of these great people directly.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818