August 27, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Judy Benson.

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David Merrill was not born in Newtown but his years of painting the murals in Edmond Town Hall have linked him intimately with the town’s history. His framed lithographs of Newtown are hung in many homes and buildings; his murals grace the walls of 18th Century houses as well as the staircases and hallways of the town hall. So when the Newtown Summer Festival Summer Committee selected the theme “Newtown: A Picture-Perfect Town” for this year’s Labor Day Parade, it was only fitting that they select the well-known artist for the honor of being the parade’s grand marshal.

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It was another blue-ribbon year for Mary Ann Novaco at this year’s Bridgewater Fair. In meeting this summer’s drought head-on, the Newtown resident simply diversified. The prize-winning gardener and canner took home first place in four categories — best vegetable display, pearls, shallots, and beets.

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Several hundred people attended the 23rd annual Ukrainian Festival at Olga Paproski’s farm on Hattertown Road on Sunday. The festival, sponsored by St Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bridgeport, featured Ukrainian and picnic-style food, crafts, exhibits of native costumes, music, hayrides, pony rides, children’s activities, raffles, a display of old and antique tractors, and programs and Ukrainian songs and dances. Proceeds benefited the parish.

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Patty Murren knew she would have to play over her head if she was going to win her first round qualifying match last Friday at the Pilot Pen International Tennis Tournament in New Haven. After all, Emilie Loit of France was the 90th ranked player in the world. And as good a player as Murren has become, the gap between the two was huge. The Newtown resident entered the match ranked 476. In the end, it was the 20-year-old Loit winning, 6-2, 6-4. … The former Immaculate/Wake Forest player, 25, turned pro three weeks ago. She took home $500 for last week’s effort.

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Robert J. Murdy, son of Kathy and Rich Murdy, was officially awarded Scouting’s highest rank, that of Eagle Scout, at a Court of Honor held in the Newtown Meeting House. For his project, Robert gave Cullens Memorial a new face lift. Robert and 26 volunteers worked 302 hours over a five day period to scrape and polyurethane the wood floor, install carpet and paint the kitchen cabinets, windows, and trim. Robert said he appreciated the fact that Newtown Hardware, Home Depot, Mathison Floors, Sears, and Cullens Memorial contributed generously the supplies and equipment necessary to complete the project. He also extends his gratitude to the four scoutmasters that lead Troop 70. Robert will attend the University of Connecticut in September.

August 23, 1974

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — NOT THE RIGHT PLAN FOR NEWTOWN: A far too sparse gathering attended the public hearing on Tuesday evening at the Edmond Town Hall to hear the proposal of new zoning regulations which would permit the construction of cluster housing and condominiums in Newtown. This particular hearing has been a long time coming, for the town of Newtown is looked upon as an ideal target for this type of housing by outsiders and a good area to move in on. Looking at the picture from the inside, we do not share the same enthusiasm for such a rapid move to multiple housing.

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Vandalism has struck the Town Park twice so far this week. On Monday night, August 19, a lead casting of a lion’s head, appropriately donated by the Lions Club, was unbolted from its mooring in the children’s pool and taken away. A screen window on the men’s room window was snipped as the vandals tried to open the window and enter. Most senseless of all, the brass plaque at the entrance to the park reading “A. Fenn Dickinson Memorial Park” was taken away. On Tuesday, Stop and Do Not Enter signs were uprooted and flung aside. These incidents follow a midnight assault on the park the week before on Wednesday, August 14, when six youthful vandals overturned a picnic table, tore shingles off a storage shed and tried to overturn that too. Park and Recreation Commission Chairman David Larson called the vandalism “malicious. Everything in the park was donated by somebody or some organization. Only recently has there been town capital investment in the park. I could understand protesting against the establishment, but in this case, the people are the establishment.”

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Thirty-one residents and land owners attended a general meeting of the Pootatuck Park Association on Saturday evening, August 17, at the Town Hall, and actions to be taken by the recently incorporated association regarding road improvements have begun firming up. According to association president Mrs Socha Larsen, the Pootatuck Park residents, voting on the basis of funds accrued through payment of dues, have approved three roads for improvement, beginning in September with the assistance of the Town.

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The survey for unlicensed dogs in Newtown is still continuing, with pooch after pooch being found without tags. However, according to Sgt Michael Fekete of the Police Department, persons who have been given notification to have their dogs licensed have been doing so. The survey will continue throughout the month, and residents are reminded that if they do not heed the notice to license their dog within five days, they are subject to a $25 fine. Licenses may be obtained at the Office of the Town Clerk in Edmond Town Hall from 9-5 week days.

August 19, 1949

The trustees of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library have in the past few days sent an appeal to all friends of the library to make a contribution to the annual drive for funds needed to augment its regular income. Townspeople who have long enjoyed the free services of this vital local institution are urged to contribute generously according to their ability but the appeal emphasizes that gifts of any amount are welcome. Every adult subscriber can afford a dollar or two — or more. Checks or cash can be mailed to Herbert C. Hubbell, treasurer or handed to him at the Newtown Savings Bank.

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Caroline Hill, Betty Cox and Lucy James, classmates in Hawley High school, left last Saturday for a week’s stay at Lake Winnipesaukee. They were taken to Alton Bay, N.H. by Mr and Mrs Arnold Hill of Castle View Farm. While there the girls will occupy a cottage owned by Mrs Hill’s grandmother, Mrs Charles E. Bugbee, Sr, and are being accompanied by Mrs Hill’s mother, Mrs Charles E. Bugbee, Jr.

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Visitors to Town offices on the first floor of Edmond Town Hall during the past two weeks have been curious as to the activities of a scholarly looking gentleman operating a microfilm camera on a table just outside the office of Town Clerk May Sullivan. The setup is rather formidable. A tri-pod supports camera, reflectors, photo floodlamps and two large wings that protect wandering eyes from the lights. On the table beneath the camera’s point of focus lies an open book of deeds or of wills. The films are gathering on their 35-millimeter surfaces, two pages at a time, vital records of Newtown.

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Mr and Mrs Thomas Cunningham, formerly of Mile Hill road, wish to express their sincere thanks to the many friends who sent cards and flowers to their daughter, Kathy, who is home from a second visit at Lenox Hill hospital. She is progressing slowly.

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On Tuesday evening of this week the Auxiliary of the Raymond L. Pease Post, 163, American Legion, elected Mrs Florence May president for the ensuing year. Other officers elected at the annul meeting held in Sandy Hook Hotel were as follows: Mrs Lauvisa Lane, vice president; Mrs Elsie Harris, secretary; Mrs Belle Lockwood, chaplain; Mrs Louise Mularcik, historian; and Mrs Joan Tani, sergeant-at-arms. Mrs Ellen Trolland of Nichols, past third district president, was present and obligated the incoming officers.

August 15, 1924

Miss Viola Geckle and brother, Louis, who recently purchased the Mah-John Ice Cream Parlor of Frederick Crouch, are reported doing excellent business. Besides handling ice cream, candy and confections, they will specialize in home made pastry. Advance orders on pastry will receive careful attention.

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July 25, 1925. Dear Brother Allison and the rest of the Bee Force: The last time I wrote to you was from Paris. We went out to the battle grounds of Rheims and saw the destructive work in that city. Rheims was a prosperous city before the war of about 25,000. It was right in the path of the Germans and was bombarded for four years. Only about 150 houses escaped and the Rheims Cathedral, everybody has heard about. … Our next town was Geneva, Switzerland. All the way from Lyons, France the scenery was simply fine. … Our next place was Montreux, a four hours sail on Lake Geneva. Here we visited Chauteau of Chillon, an old relic of the 1500 and 1600 century and heard how cruel those old time Lords of the country were. There are many beautiful hotels in Montreaux, some of them way up in the hills, where no teams could go, only tram railroads. Perhaps the most interesting place we have visited is at Zerwatt, 5000 feet above sea level. … We are at Brigue, to-night, and expect to go on from here to Interlaken, and the rest of Swiss scenery. … Regards to all the force and love for yourself. Arthur J. Smith.

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Weldon Miller, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty to the charges of operating a motor vehicle without registration, reckless driving and evading responsibility before Justice P.H. McCarthy, Saturday afternoon, and was fined $50 on the charge of reckless driving, $25 for evading responsibility and $1 for improper registration. The total fines with the costs attached amounted to $96.37. Miller with J.B. Allen, of Waterbury, was taking a motor ride through Newtown on the night of August 2, when he collided with a car operated by Constable Joseph Collins, of Sandy Hook, near the residence of Martin Henry. The Collins machine was damaged. Miller was arrested by State Policeman Leo Carroll of the Ridgefield barracks and was brought to Newtown by Officer Merran C. Hill, of the state police force at Waterbury.

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H.G. Warner, S. Ernest Sanford, and John C. Beers put in the day fishing, Wednesday, at Lake Waramaug.

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The Tax Collector is making an effort to close up the personal tax account for the year. There are a few delinquents who it is hoped will pay up before he is compelled to take drastic action. It would be well for those in arrears to pay up before the sheriff calls.

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Without doubt, A.E. Brinton stands to-day the most successful grower of dahlias in Fairfield county, if not in the state when quality of bloom is taken into consideration. It is a hobby with Mr Brinton, and he could make it his livelihood, should he choose to. The editor paid a visit to his dahlia garden, Wednesday night, and we might say, Mr Brinton welcomes visitors. He has perhaps 125 or more varieties, and the largest blooms we have ever seen, and we have followed the flower shows for years.

August 25, 1899

When we say what is the heading, “the best concert Newtown has had for years,” we say it advisedly; the only question with us is whether we ought to make any qualification at all as to time. We rather think the merits of the case would justify us in saying that the concert at the Newtown Inn last Saturday was the best Newtown has ever known. The wording of the announcements seemed extravagant in station that the Taglia Trio had reached the top notch in the musical line, and that Mrs Alma Webster Powell possessed one of the great voices of the century. … The entertainment itself showed that the words had been chosen with discrimination and care. Mrs Powell’s voice is one of the great voices of the century.

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Operator Lewis of the Hawleyville station has rented a part of Mrs Starr Blackman’s house and will move his family to town at once.

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A.G. Baker & Son have placed in conspicuous places in Woodbury, Hotchkissville and New Preston some substantial sign boards advertising their well known and popular furniture.

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B.W. Valentine preached at the Hawleyville chapel on Sunday evening, having an audience of about 40 despite the sweltering evening.

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Miss Eva H. Blackman is visiting friends in Bridgeport and at Fairfield Beach.

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TRINITY SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL: The Sunday school festival held on Wednesday was a very enjoyable affair for all who attended, in spite of the rain. The first part of the time was spent under the trees on the church grounds but adjournment was soon made to the Parish room. The children made the time pass quickly with games and other pleasures to all. The gathering lasted from 2.30 to 5 o’clock.

Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.