July 12, 1991

This is the first time since 1982 that the town has been so far into the fiscal year without an approved budget. In that year, residents didn't adopt a budget until July 28. But First Selectman Zita McMahon said the lack of an approved budget has not caused serious problems for the town. She said the town has been operating under the so-called continuing resolution adopted by the Legislative Council and that the town has made only necessary expenditures.

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This year's annual Newtown Rotary Clam Bake will be held at Dickinson Park on July 22 at 6 pm. The picnic will feature Don Schoch's famous steamed lobsters, clams on the half shell, corn on the cob, and boiled potatoes. Spouses, guests, and prospective new members are welcome.

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Look what the cat dragged in. The state rabies lab in Hartford confirmed that the dead bat that a Newtown resident's cat brought home tested positive for rabies. The police department received a call Monday, June 28 from a Plumtrees Road resident who said her cat had brought home a dead bat. The cat was quarantined and the state notified. The cat was subsequently destroyed when the bat was found to have rabies. According to doctor Donald Mayo, the state's chief virologist, a person or animal will only get bitten if they pick up or handle a sick or dead bat. "The virus has to get into an open sore or wound," he said.

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The 13-year-old All Stars from Newtown Babe Ruth Baseball League began play in the District 4 tournament on Saturday, July 6 and swept three straight games to reach the district finals. Newtown took advantage of some of some high powered offence scoring a total of 33 runs in defeating New Milford, Brookfield, and Bethel to reach the final - which will be played on Thursday, July 11.

July 15, 1966

Newtown's "American Abroad," Nancy Stokes, sailed for Rotterdam on the M/S Seven Seas without knowing her ultimate destination. The suspense continued for days with Nancy taking part in the orientation programs for Italy and for Afghanistan. Just before the ship was due to dock, Nancy learned that she was to be one of the first AFS exchange students to Afghanistan, a decision which pleased her greatly.

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The Stevenson Volunteer Fire Department of Monroe plans to sponsor a rodeo in Newtown on August 5, 6, 7. Proceeds will go toward fire fighting equipment. Staged by J & L Rodeos, it will feature bronco riding, calf roping and other events. This will be the first such affair sponsored by the fire fighters, offered as a change from the annual summer carnivals of past years. The events will be at Loveland Grove on Great Quarter Road.

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Before Middlegate School is a year old it has had an addition of a temporary building holding two classrooms for sixth graders. A windowless wall was purposely placed to face the playing fields to avoid baseballs followed by the crash of glass. Windows in each classroom face the main building. Heating is electric. A duplicate of this building is being set up at the Sandy Hook School.

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The annual "steak out" and swimming party will be Saturday, July 16 at the home of Mr Timothy T. Treadwell, at the corner of Zoar Road and Bennett's Bridge Road in Sandy Hook. There will be swimming, commencing at 6 pm in the host's pool, followed by steaks cooked on the outside grills by Mr Treadwell, also homemade salad and lots of garlic bread. Beverage Chairman is Martin Callahan.

July 11, 1941

The Newtown Country Club softball team regained its winning form on Sunday afternoon by whipping the Dead End Ten, 7-4. The victory was the season's second over the rival club and clinched the series for the Lawson team. For the first four innings Tommie Ramsdell and Doc Desmond were hooked up in a neat pitching duel.

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One of the worst automobile accidents that has happened in this town in several years occurred early Monday evening when eight persons were injured and taken to Danbury Hospital. Three automobiles and one large trailer-truck were involved. An all-state freight truck from Ohio and bound for Bridgeport went out of control on Mount Pleasant hill shortly after starting down the hill. One car was struck by the truck, which bound across the road, up a bank, and back on the road, and directly in the path of an oncoming car, completely turning the other car around, wrecking it to bits, and throwing some of the occupants to the street. The truck driver was asleep and the relief driver was at the wheel and claimed the brakes locked.

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Plans are complete for the Masonic Club annual summer outing to be held on July 13. John Janocsko and his committee announced that the first dinner will be served at 1 pm with the main course consisting of clams, roast beef, salads and coffee. All Masonic Club members and family and friends are invited.

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Among Newtown's list of enthusiastic citizens is Charles C. Colt of the Taunton district. In a recent conversation with the editor of The Bee, Mr Colt took the occasion to remark that he considered The Bee the best country paper he had ever read, which seems quite the compliment since Mr Colt is an old newspaper man himself. Even a newspaper editor likes to hear once in a while that his paper is doing a good job.

July 14, 1916

Fabric Fire Hose Co Superintendent Charles A. Peale was the victim of a painful accident Wednesday. While standing by his car superintending the inflation of one of the tires, it blew up. A piece of the rim struck Mr Peale on the thigh, causing a serious fracture. Dr F.J. Gale and Dr Brown of Danbury attended to his injury.

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A very interesting and inspiring event was the prize speaking contest at the Taunton schoolhouse, Tuesday night. The schoolhouse was tastefully decorated with flowers and presented a festive appearance. More than 100 people were present, as many of the men stood in the halls and outdoors and looked through open windows. By request of the Taunton ladies, S.P. Smith presided.

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Mr and Mrs R.H. Beers and family and Miss Marion Curtis returned Tuesday from a week's trip to Poland Springs, Maine. They returned via the White Mountains and the Mohawk Trail. While seated in the dining room at the Weldon, Greenfield, Mass., Mr Beers was surprised to have someone come up and slap him on the back. He saw it was Newtown Hoyt, son of Rev J.P. Hoyt.

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Levy Bros in their Danbury clothing store are holding a clearance sale from July 15-29. Do not think that a clearance sale means a chance to get something for nothing. It is merely a chance to buy certain articles at a greatly reduced price and the person who needs such articles, or can buy them now for later use, is the one who has the most to gain.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com, or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.