July 16, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Alexandra Caracciolo.

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Police charged two men Tuesday in the shooting death of a 15-year-old Sandy Hook boy who was accosted and robbed while walking along Riverside Road near Cherry Street on the night of Saturday, July 10. About 9 pm, Jason Gowdy, 15, of Pine Street, and two unidentified friends were walking along Riverside Road when a black Chevrolet Beretta pulled up alongside them, police said. Roberto Lugo a/k/a Ruperto Lugo, 19, of Stratford, who was a passenger in the car, got out of it and approached the three boys, police said. A brief confrontation ensued and Lugo then allegedly shot Jason twice in the head in the robbery. Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps rushed Jason to Danbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:28 pm. … On Tuesday, police charged Lugo, and the driver of the car, Alejandro Melendez, 19, on Bridgeport, each with felony murder, first degree robbery, and conspiracy to commit first degree robbery. Convictions are punishable by life imprisonment.

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The Town of Newtown is officially the new owner of a narrow strip of open space in the center of town. The former state property along Queen Street consists of six houses and eight vacant lots. The town handed over a check to the state for $1.25 million last week which it borrowed through 20-year municipal bonds. In return, the state handed over the deed. Taxpayers approved the purchase, 155-8, at a town meeting last January.

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Every Tuesday around 6 pm, a group of men gather at The Pleasance on Main Street for two hours worth of tournament bocce. For these Italian men, the weekly bocce game is a great form of recreation, especially after a long day of baking bread and assorted doughnuts and Danish pastries at Andrea’s Bakery on Queen Street. Andrea’s owner Philip DiSora is usually the first one to arrive at the bocce court, which was installed during the creation of The Pleasance, a private park created and maintained by The Newtown Bee at the corner of Main Street and Sugar Street for the enjoyment of the public. “It’s a great game — very friendly,” Mr DiSora said. “In Italy, they usually play for drinks. If you lose, you buy the drinks, either beer or soda.”

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Volunteers are hard at work preparing books and other items for the C.H. Booth Library’s annual book sale in September. Volunteers this week were surrounded by boxes of books at Bridgeport Hall on the grounds of the former Fairfield Hills Hospital. Books, computer software, records, CDs, audio-visual tapes, jigsaw puzzles, and games are still being accepted and can be dropped off at the library until August 28. No magazines will be accepted. Also, no encyclopedias or textbooks will be accepted unless they are five years old. To deliver large amounts of books, call Joanne Zang.

July 12, 1974

First Selectman Frank DeLucia has been notified by a certified letter dated June 27, that the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company “intends to sell 57.1 acres of land in the Town of Newtown.” Forty five acres of the parcel are located between Key Rock Road and Route 302, the remaining acreage across the street from Key Rock. The First Selectman originally learned that the land might be available for purchase early in June, and the letter confirms that the company will sell the land.

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About 50 children a day have been using the Sandy Hook playground since the Recreation Department program opened at the beginning of the week. Besides the swings, slides and bars, there were games of dodge ball and hikes. For those that were hot, there were cold drinks. For those that were tired, there was the shade of trees. Superintendent Donna Tibbitts calls it a lot of fun.

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Newtown resident Helen M. Amaral has won first honors and Donna L. Tenney of Sandy Hook has won second honors in the second term dean’s list of Fairfield University. Miss Amaral and Miss Tenney are both juniors.

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Janet Ford has been chosen Queen of Fairfield County Pomona Grange, to represent Fairfield County on July 26, 27, and 28 at the Agri-Durham Grange Fair where she will compete with the other County Queens for Durham Fair Queen title. Miss Ford lives in Sandy Hook with her family and is a member of Pohatuck Grange No 129 where she holds office as Gatekeeper. She is a junior at Newtown High School. Anyone who plans on going to the Fair may call Miss Ford for tickets.

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State Senator Joseph Gormley and Representative Sarah Frances Curtis spoke to about 50 Alexandria Mid-Day Seniors on Tuesday, July 9. Mrs Curtis called them “Mutt and Jeff.” Mr Gormley referred often to his good friend Sarah Frances. The audience laughed often and listened intently. Mr Gormley is running for his second term. Mrs Curtis was endorsed for her tenth term in the Republican Town Committee meeting Monday, July 8.

July 8, 1949

The four-day carnival being conducted by Newtown’s volunteer fire companies on Yale Field at the intersection of Routes 202 and 25 opposite Lovell’s Garage opened to a good crowd on Wednesday night with the Sandy Hook Fife and Drum Corps providing the music. Members of the four companies had been more than busy all day in fast preparation for the event. As electricians, some of them were swarming over the field stringing wires to booths and to apparatus. Trucks were in and out delivering their burdens of stoves, refrigerators, and properties for the various games, which the firemen were putting in place.

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Undeterred by bright sunlight and prospects of high temperature, a score of Newtown’s clubs and civic organizations took part in the 1949 Fourth of July parade which went into action Monday morning. The line formed at the rear of Edmond Town Hall, early arrivals including the Southbury Training School float, and Mrs William Mannix with her station wagon to transport part of the Scout Brownies, who were already arriving. Before 10 o’clock, too, spectators began to appear, those on foot seeking cool spots and those in cars finding vantage points along the roadside at The Village Coffee Shop, the Maryland Grill, and at Dickinson’s and Richards’ service stations.

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A sale and exhibition of fancy and useful articles made by Connecticut’s blind was held Wednesday in the Edmond Town Hall and was reported as being most successful. Sponsored by the State Board of Education of the Blind, the articles were all made in individual homes and not in institutions. As in former years, the price paid for each article was given to the person who made it. The local committee in charge of the affair wishes to thank all those who patronized the sale and who helped to make it the success it was. The committee consists of Mrs Frances Maloney, Mrs Arthur Gies, Sr, Mrs Newton Curtis, Mrs E.M. Peck, all of Newtown, and Mrs Edith Gary of Long Hill.

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Susan Desmond, daughter of Dr and Mrs Waldo F. Desmond, Sally Jones, daughter of Mr and Mrs Allen Northey Jones, and Mary Starr Smith, daughter of Mr and Mrs Paul S. Smith, all left on Tuesday to spend two months at Camp Kuwiyan, Meredith, New Hampshire. The first two will be campers and the latter will act as a counselor in the Crafts shop.

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Birdsey Parsons of Sandy Hook underwent an operation at Danbury hospital this Thursday morning, where his condition is reported to be satisfactory. He was removed to the hospital Tuesday evening and is under the care of Dr Waldo F. Desmond of Newtown and Dr John D. Booth of Danbury.

July 4, 1924

The graduating exercises of the Hawley school, last Thursday night, brought out an audience which taxed the Hawley school auditorium to its capacity with 100 or more people standing in the rear. On the platform sat the members of the graduating class, Principal O.S. Stoddard of the Hawley school, Rev Gerald A. Cunningham of Stamford, the speaker of the evening, Rev Messrs Ekins and Reagan, and the members of the school board.

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The Misses Elizabeth Reynolds and Evelyn M. Ekins are spending ten days at the Young Peoples’ Summer Conference of the Connecticut Congregational churches being held as we go to press, at the Connecticut Agricultural College, Storrs, Conn., as delegates of the Sunday School. The summer conference is an expansion of the idea begun at the Newtown Institute last January of developing a consistent leadership from among the young people of the churches. … About 150 are enrolled and full advantages of the College equipment is being taken by the young people. Bible study courses are under the supervision of Rev Frank M. Sheldon of Boston, Prof Roland Bainton of Yale and a corps of competent instructors. … Mornings are given to class work, afternoons to recreation and evenings to sunset talks and sings.

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A WORD FROM DISTRICT FIRE WARDEN V.G. HARD, JR: As the glorious Fourth of July is approaching, I would like to warn the children and people of Newtown to be careful with their fireworks this year. I had no fires to run to caused by fireworks so far since I have held my office. It is only because we have been careful. I would like to call your attention to the General Statistics, section 2682, prohibiting the use of fire balloons. Any person who shall ignite for the purpose of liberating or who shall liberate when ignited any balloon carrying any fire or substance which may produce or cause fire, or aid or abet in such ignition or liberation, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than three months or both. This section of the law governing forest fires applies to towns, cities, or boroughs.—Villeroy G. Hard, Jr, District Fire Warden, Newtown, Conn.

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Fern Stowe of Seymour, who has been spending a few days with her sister, Miss Elsie F. Stowe, returned home on Wednesday.

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William C. Johnson, who has supervision of Repairs on State Highways in the town, has received notice from the State Highway Department, that the building of fires on the road bed, or where they will damage any portion of the road bed, is positively forbidden. Those celebrating the Fourth, take notice. This applies all over the state.

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Miss Helen Keane of Mt Vernon, N.Y., passed the week end with her parents, Mr and Mrs Thomas C. Keane.

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Mrs Anna E. Tucker received her commission as postmaster at Sandy Hook on June 29, and on July 1 became postmaster. Mrs Tucker has been acting postmaster since the resignation of Herbert Cutler.

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Butter 45c, cheese 29c, lard 15c, bacon 31c, strawberries, lettuce, melons, pineapples, bananas and tomatoes for the Holidays. At Davey’s.—[Adv.

July 14, 1899

THE HOPEWELL SCHOOL — INTERESTING EXERCISES: Miss Lillian Dwyer closed her school in Hopewell district, June 23, after a most successful and profitable school year and the district unites in wishing her to return. The school room was prettily decorated with flowers and the exercises were pleasing to both parents and friends. Two prizes were awarded, one to Carrie Wilkinson for best spelling, and one to George C. Beck for best arithmetic.

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George Ruffles, son of Dea George Ruffles, fell from a scaffolding while painting on the new barn of his uncle, William Ruffles, a week ago Saturday. He was severely shaken up and badly sprained one ankle. He had a narrow escape from instant death.

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Conductor Ruth is now running the Hawleyville and Providence freight in the absence of Conductor Fowler, who has been presiding over Conductor Ives’ train during the illness of the latter’s wife.

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Mr and Mrs S.A. Blackman passed Sunday at their cottage at Fairfield Beach, having as their guests Mr and Mrs A.G. Baker.

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Charles H. Lewis of Waterbury has succeeded H.W. Ames as night operator at the Hawleyville station. Mr Lewis will bring his family to Hawleyville in a short time.

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Miss Mabel Morris presided at the organ in the Congregational church, Sunday, in the absence of Mrs John R. Peck.

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