TERRYVILLE - The program for the testimonial dinner in honor of Terryville's Ted Knight was released Tuesday.
Before the dinner begins at 7 p.m. in the Terryville High School auditorium, Selectman Walter K. Lassy Jr. will greet Knight who will be accompanied by his business manager and public relations agent. The meal is being catered by Galaxy Caterers of Terryville.
Following the meal invocation will be given by Fr. Stephen Ptaszynski of St. Casimir's Church. Fr. Joseph Shaloka of St. Michael's Church will say the benediction. The gathering will sing the "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" led by organist Loren McDonough.
Several gifts from Terryville businesses and organizations will be presented the Terryville native for his contribution of time and effort to Plymouth's celebration of the Bicentennial. Those presenting gifts are the Town of Plymouth, Plymouth Bicentennial Commission, St. Casimir's Guild, Sgt. George Janser Post VFW, Lock Museum of America and O.Z. Gedney Company.
Knight will arrive Thursday from California and leave on Sunday. He will be the honorary marshal of the Plymouth Bicentennial parade, as well as judge the local beard contest in Baldwin Park following the event. Saturday morning he will also visit the line up of floats entered in the parade while they are parked on Orchard Street. The television personality will visit the Lock Museum of America on Main Street during the morning. He has consented to serve as national honorary chairman for the museum building fund drive.
Sitting at the head table for the testimonial will be Selectman Lassy and his wife; local Bicentennial Commission chairman J. Francis Ryan and his wife; Toastmaster Henry Kornacki and his wife; George Ford and his wife, who are representing Governor Ella Grasso; George Cyr, chairman of the state Bicentennial Commission and his wife; Fr. Ptaszynski and Fr. Shaloka. More than 500 persons hold tickets for the dinner.
[The Bristol Press, Wednesday, June 9, 1976]