Bucks County Courier Times (Levittown, PA) October 14, 2004 Section: FOCUS ON NEWTOWN Edition: FOCUS EDITION1 Page: 3A FIRST NIGHT POSTER First Night's steering committee and board revealed the 2005 poster, which features a jolly jester designed by Liz Battaglia of the Newtown Athletic Club. "We went through this huge box of buttons," Battaglia said. "I swear I've never seen so many buttons before. They were from all over the country, other first nights and I liked the whimsical, happy creatures." Guests and sponsors first enjoyed appetizers by Temperance House while waiting for the unveiling at the Newtown Gallery of Fine Art on State Street last Wednesday. The committee and board handed out frames of last year's poster to thank specific sponsors who contributed $1,000 or more to the event. " [First Night] is a celebration of the arts," Rick Rogers, board president, said. "To introduce things that are new and different. We are proud to be able to continue but it's only because of our sponsors that we can do so. Rogers also said that the committee and board are looking for new volunteers to contribute next year. " We want to get the community involved in all of the divisions of the arts," he said. Patagun!, a percussion and vocal ensemble featuring African, Middle Eastern and World music, entertained the guests at the Newtown Gallery of Fine Art. The group will be featured at this year's First Night on Dec. 31, and will engage the crowd in a drum circle. This year, 11 classes in third and fourth grade will enter in an essay contest describing why he or she would like to lead the procession at the beginning of the night in front of the Brick Hotel. The selected winner will receive a special surprise. St. Andrew's, the George School, Newtown Friends, and most of the Council Rock school district schools are participating in the art contest the "rhythm of art." Contestants are to make an instrument that evokes rhythm. The artwork will be displayed at Chandler Hall beginning Wednesday, Dec. 8. A framed picture of the first First Night poster and button will be auctioned off proceeds to benefit the event. October 14, 2004