Book Lovers Fete Washington, WW II Veteran At Newtown Cocktail Party

NEWTOWN BOROUGH — More than 120 book lovers gathered Saturday night for a special evening benefiting one of the borough's oldest and most storied institutions.

Held inside the atrium lobby of the Stocking Works on South State Street, the 21st Annual Book Lovers cocktail party drew a sizable crowd to raise funds in support of the Newtown Library Company.

In addition to supporting the library, this year’s event feted two special guests - reenactor John Godzieba, who portrays George Washington at Washington Crossing Historic Park, and World War II veteran Sandy Oppenheimer, the retired editor of the Bucks County Courier Times.

Members of the Newtown Library Company's Board of Directors join reenactor John Godzieba in celebrating Washington's birthday.

Nancy Webster presents George Washington with a birthday cake during the cocktail party. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

George Washington with Saint Andrew School Librarian Mrs. Wikoff, her daughter Elizabeth and Layla Leuthy-Peck. Wikoff organized second graders at the school to pen birthday greetings for George Washington.

George Washington (John Godzieba) celebrates the evening with supporters of the Newtown Library Company.

In celebration of Washington's birthday, the gathering joined in a chorus of “Happy Birthday” as Nancy Webster, a board member and director of historical outreach at the Newtown Library Company, presented him with a birthday cake.

Webster then surprised Godzieba with several special gifts including a "Sword of George Washington" letter opener, birthday cards from Saint Andrew School, and a letter of appreciation for his service from the president and CEO of Mount Vernon.

Peter Chong, the deputy director for U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, also stopped by to present an American flag to World War II veteran Sandy Oppenheimer and to announce that the Congressman had read Oppenheimer’s name into the Congressional record.

The 99-year-old Oppenheimer served as the library’s inaugural Honorary Runner at its 2024 5K Race in October.

Peter Chong, the deputy director for U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, thanks World War II veteran Sandy Oppenheimer for his service to the nation.

The evening also featured a delicious spread of hors d'oeuvres and desserts, a variety of cocktails and the Book Lovers Raffle and Silent Auction. The food was provided by Piccolo Trattoria and Christine Edmonds.

The raffle featured a variety of gift baskets and gift cards donated by local Newtown businesses. The big prize of the night was a Wheelbarrow of Cheer - a full-sized wheelbarrow loaded with wine, spirits and assorted snacks.

The Book Lover’s Cocktail party is the largest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit independently Newtown Library Company, which relies on membership fees, fundraisers and donations for support.

Money raised at the cocktail party will go toward the library’s operating budget, according to Webster. It’s through fundraisers like the cocktail party and the Newtown Library 5K Race that the library is able to stay open and remain relevant in today’s technological age, said Webster.

The Newtown Library Company, the oldest continually operating library in Bucks County, is located at 114 East Centre Avenue, Newtown, and can be reached by calling 215-968-7659 or visiting www.newtownlibrarycompany.org.

Supporters of the Newtown Library Company enjoy an evening of socialization and fundraising.

Enjoying the evening are, from left, Jeanne Haeckel, Newtown Borough Councilor Gina Tognini, Susan Thompson and Neale Messina.