May 31, 1991

An informal survey of boaters passing by on Lake Zoar last week revealed widespread apprehension about what the summer of 1991 holds for the lake. Statistics from last year tend to support the apprehension: in the summer of 1990, an estimated 40,000 boaters and 500,000 people used the lake, and not all did so responsibly. The crowds, the speed of some powerful boats and the insistence of some people on mixing alcohol and boating create conditions that are ripe for tragedy. Last summer a Waterbury man was killed in a boating accident on Lake Zoar. This year it is entirely possible that someone else will die.

***

A suspected fugitive from justice - wanted in Arizona on felony theft and trafficking stolen property - was arrested by Newtown Police on a Danbury Superior Court warrant on May 24. Reportedly, the police sought the warrant after Lieutenant Richard Stook arrested Gregory Lascowski for the June 1990 burglary of the Ferris residence on Taunton Hill Road on May 2, and discovered he was wanted by police in Arizona and California.

***

The public is invited to "An Evening of Siddha Meditation" on Thursday, June 6, at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library on Main Street. The program will be an introduction to the teachings of Siddha Yoga and includes a talk on Siddha Meditation and a video of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, head of the ancient lineage of Siddha masters.

***

Area children ages 5-14 have an opportunity to audition for "Funtown," a block of children's programs airing 24 hours weekly on the family channel. Auditions are limited to the first 100 children. Each child will receive a free "Funtown" T-shirt for participating.

June 3, 1966

As a token of appreciation, the Newtown High School student council, on behalf of the entire student body, is initiating an annual donation to the Newtown Scholarship Fund in the name of Coach Harold S. DeGroat. His service to the entire community, especially young people, greatly exceeded what was required of him.

***

Miss Nancy Johnston Stokes has been selected to live during this summer in Uganda, Africa, with the family of J.K. Senkumbuge. They are the parents of four children and reside in Kampala. Nancy has been accepted as a participant in the American Field Service Program. She is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Robert Stokes of Sandy Hook and is a Newtown High junior.

***

The Newtown Planning and Zoning and the Conservation Commission met with First Selectman Carl Schutz and Selectman Frederick Rees to discuss the purchase of the Mullikan property on Lake Lillinonah. Both commissions are unanimous in their desire to take concrete steps in this direction. It was the hope of the commissions that that the meeting would produce a definite statement from the selectman of the town's interest in this purchase as a basis for negotiation on terms. Selectmen, although noting the property's desirability, felt that more facts needed to be known.

***

A television set is an electronic marvel and as complex as a wandering husband's alibi. As a result, let's talk over a few simple before and after purchase tips which will help you guarantee absolute satisfaction with your purchase. Look for a sharp, clear picture even in daylight. Larger screens should offer edge to edge focus. Ease of tuning is also important because if a set requires the super sensitive touch of a safe-cracker, it's no bargain.

May 30, 1941

The entire country stopped in its tracks on Tuesday evening to listen to President Roosevelt's radio broadcast, which we hope has gone a long way to clarify in the mind of average citizens the present position of the United States in relation to the rest of the world. There can be no doubt of the gravity of the situation. It is about time that labor and capital, rich and poor, the man in the street, the mother in the home, the teacher and the child, came to realize that we can build a real America only when we tackle the task together - without strikes, lockouts, political bickerings and all the rest.

***

A two-hour show featuring Gene and Glen of radio fame will be held at the Edmond Town Hall next Monday evening at 8:15 o'clock. The show is being held under the auspices of Pohtatuck Grange and a large attendance is expected to be on hand to great this radio team. Tickets are 44 cents.

***

Arthur Vining, who has been studying aviation at army training stations at Albany, Ga., and Montgomery, Ala., has been in town for the past few days. Mr Vining reports that he is enjoying the life very much and expects to be made a commissioned officer in about ten weeks' time. He will probably be made an aviation instructor.

***

The Newtown A.C. dropped its third game of the season Sunday afternoon at Pine Grove Park when Middlebury out-hit the local boys to win by the generous margin of four to one. Despite the excellent ball playing, the home team failed to have the power at the crucial moments to bring in the runs.

May 27, 1916

The Sandy Hook band will give a concert in Post Office Square on the evening of Memorial Day at 8:15. The program will last an hour giving people a chance to attend dances in other parts of town. The hat will be passed and it is hoped that the public will generously respond, as money is necessary to pay the running expenses.

***

Richard Carmody, while riding on a motorcycle with Charles Geddy, was thrown off near the Sandy Hook Bridge. One foot was caught in the motor and badly bruised. Dr Canavan is attending him. The accident was quite a serious one for Mr Carmody, as he will be incapacitated from duty for at least two weeks.

***

The house of Albert J Blackman on Mt Pleasant was entered by thieves on Sunday night and the entire edible contents of the pantry stolen. None of the family was awakened by the visitors, though a very thorough job was done. No other valuables were taken.

***

Mrs Alma E. Banks received a call from Mrs Amelia Sherman of Easton Center on Monday. Both ladies were born in Greenfield and were schoolmates for ten years. This was the first time in 35 years that they had met. Mrs Sherman will be 84 in June. Mrs Banks was 84 on Wednesday.

EDITOR'S NOTE (Friday, June 3, 2016): Success! We heard from one reader who recognized some of the children in this week's photo. Please see the

June 3, 2016 presentation of The Way We Were for follow-up.

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.