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Friday, December 5, 2014
Library board sought for input on renovations
“Somewhere down the line, they’re looking at significant NEWINGTON — Should library expansion and they’re the Lucy Robbins Welles Library going to need more parking as claim any stake in the future reno- well,” Alan Bongiovanni, comvation of Newington Town Hall? mittee chairman, explained. “I There could be a benefit to shar- think we should extend an olive ing resources branch to the among differlibrary board ent town bodies to come to one — including our meetings the library and provide — members their input.” of the Town The Lucy Hall buildR o b b i n s ing committee Welles Library suggested at board of trusttheir meeting ees bought Tuesday night. both parcels Building a of open land larger parking adjacent to the MAUREEN LYONS lot to accomlibrary in 2002 Library board member modate both and 2007, town and resp ec t i vel y. library business was among pos- Their intent in doing so was to sibilities informally discussed by accommodate a future expanthe committee, which hopes to sion, and in 2010 a preliminary present a new renovation plan to design was created by architect the public by next fall. Kaestle Boos. But with a difficult economy and plans to renovate Town Hall pending, the library Free delayed its project. Volume 54, No. 49 “The timing wasn’t right then, but now with the town starting over again we decided we’re By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
“It’s marvelous they’re bringing us [the library board] to the table — it opens up lots of possibilities.”
See BUILDING, Page 11
Crafty creations
St. Mary’s Christmas fair marks 40 years By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
that,” added Andrews, who was happy to have her whole family join her at this year’s fair. That included all eight grandchildren and their parents. Crafters and small business owners from all over New England
brought their goods, but a handful of St. Mary’s parishioners also had tables of holiday-oriented gifts. Cathy Modena and Mary Lacic sing in the church choir and came to offer “Cate’s Creations,” vintage
NEWINGTON — When women at St. Mary Church began selling handmade gifts 40 Christmases ago to raise money for the parish, they never imagSee ST. MARY, Page 7 ined their efforts would evolve into what they have today. Over 40 crafters set up shop in the St. Mary School gym Sunday with a wide variety of wares for the church’s annual Christmas Craft Fair. “Back then, the women made everything. It was more of a family fair,” said Joanne Andrews, a member of the church’s women’s club who has organized the event for the last 15 years. It was established on a much smaller scale, with crocheted blankets and mittens, handcrafted ornaments and what the women called a “white elephant sale.” Justin Weekes | Special to the Town Crier “It was basically like a tag sale, I don’t know why they called it At top, Corinne Lapointe picks out some baby clothes at Sharon White’s booth. At bottom, Cathy Modena and Mary Lacic check out some holiday decorations.