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When the five o’clock Eastern Airlines shuttle to New York aborted it take-off and skidded to a stop just short of the Potomac River at the north end of National Airport in Washington, DC, on September 24, Newtown resident James Goachee of Brushy Hill Road was in the pilot’s seat. The Boeing 727 had its nose wheel in the air when a helicopter crossed in the plane’s flight path. Eastern Airlines announced on Wednesday that its chairman, Frank Borman, commended the Newtown pilot for “excellent performance” in connection with the aborted take-off.

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After upgrading its facilities with a third ambulance and a $72,000 addition, which includes sleeping quarters, a kitchen, a lounge area, and a conference room, The Newtown Ambulance Association continues to operate on voluntary contributions. The Ambulance Association began about 40 years ago and has been operating on voluntary donations since its inception

* * *

Three local firemen on September 21 received awards from the Connecticut State Firemen’s Association for their attempts to rescue a woman from a Key Rock Road fire on December 3, 1984. Bernie Meehan, Hook & Ladder, and William Shpunt, Sandy Hook, received Meritorious Service Award, and William McAllister, a Sandy Hook training officer, was given a Bravery Award.

 

September 30, 1960

Three of Sandy Hook’s youngsters, who have been enjoying the ownership of three Mexican burros, are now putting themselves in business by offering rides to children on Saturdays and Sundays. These energetic youngsters are Sharon, Walter, and Marilyn McCarthy. The youngsters also possess a strong feeling for community service, wishing it to be known that they will donate the burros for rides on weekends to any church group or other local organizations wishing to raise funds by that means.

* * *

At a special meeting held last Sunday, September 25, following the 11 o’clock service, members of the Newtown Congregational Church voted on the recommendation of its church council and extended a call to the Rev Harold G. Newsham of the Center Church of Hartford to become associate minister.

* * *

The Newtown Chamber of Commerce, in a move to help its merchant members to contend with shoplifting, has called a meeting for next Monday evening, October 3. Sgt James Costello, Newtown’s resident state police officer, will be present to give the benefit of his advice on the best methods of curbing shoplifting and the proper ways of handling shoplifters or persons suspected of shoplifting.

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Some of the Bee’s friends may have experienced difficulty this week in placing telephone calls to the Bee. Workmen from the Southern New England Telephone Company were installing a new telephone system, replacing nine instruments, adding a third outside line, and installing a dial intercommunications system.

September 27, 1935

The public of Newtown will be pleased to read in this issue of The Bee, announcement by the Danbury & Bethel Gas & Electric Light Company that it now has a direct telephone connection from Newtown to its Danbury office. The number is 288, and there is no toll charge for calls. Cooperation on the part of the people of Newtown has prompted the company to make available this unusual service to customers.

* * *

Newtown is to benefit to the extent of some four miles of rolled gravel and waterbound macadam roads to be let by contract on October 7, as announce by Highway Commissioner John A. McDonald. The Newtown roads will lead from Sandy Hook to Riverside and from Bridgeport state road to the Botsford Hill section.

* * *

A special town meeting will be held at the Edmond Town Hall on this Friday, September 27, at 7 pm, Standard Time, when the voters of the town will have the opportunity of voting on the question of the sale of liquor in hotels clubs and restaurants in the town on Sundays, between the hours of 12 noon and 9 pm.

* * *

An explosion, which might easily have cost the loss of life, occurred at the home of Miss Anna Keating in Berkshire district on Saturday afternoon. A 225-gallon tank in the cellar connected with the water system was being pumped full under pressure. The release switch failed and enormous pressure was built up, until with a terrific roar, the tank exploded, going through the floor of the kitchen, a 6-inch foundation timber, then the ceiling of the kitchen until it hit the roof, raising that 6 inches. Miss Keating and her sister had just left the room. The kitchen and upper rooms were completely wrecked.

 

September 30, 1910

Nicholas Berg has leased the blacksmith shop of J.T. Sheehan, where he was previously employed, and is ready to attend to work in the horseshoeing and blacksmithing line.

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Cornelius B. Sturges of Taunton has moved the small building on the opposite side of the road from his house and just south of his barn, back from the road several rods. He has had his tobacco barn, which stood by the roadside several rods north of his house, moved onto the site of the small building, and is to fit it up for a horse barn.

* * *

O.E. Ryther, assistant secretary of the Connecticut Temperance Union, put in a full day in Newtown, Sunday. He gave a vigorous address on the No License question at the Congregational church, spoke at a No License meeting in Taunton, and gave the principal address at the union temperance meeting at the Sandy Hook Methodist Church in the evening.

* * *

E.O. Dorman of Mt Pleasant is having a large new bungalow erected on his lot which overlooks Taunton Lake from which there is a beautiful outlook over the lake and surrounding country. The first floor walls are to be of rough stone and the upper part of wood.