April 26, 1991

Jim Moraveck of Shelton, a member of the Newtown Fish and Game Club, had a hot hand at Taunton Lake last Saturday on the opening day of freshwater fishing. Diehard members enjoyed their annual breakfast and were undeterred by the gray, raw morning as they took to tackle and boats for the first cast.

***

Bob Sadler has two surviving American chestnut trees on his property on Valley Field Road. The tree grows to a diameter of about 2" before it dies, he notes, but new shoots keep coming up from the base of the tree. Geneticists are asking people who find these trees to report their locations to the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association in Middletown.

***

The Board of Selectmen has approved the Pension Commission's request that former Highway Superintendent Percy Ferris receive a full pension, retroactive to July 1 1989, when the town eliminated his position. Mr Ferris worked for the town for 34 years, including three years as highway superintendent.

***

A mother cod can lay as many as five million eggs at a time. Usually only six survive. If they all produced live fish, there would be much less room left in the ocean for water.

 

April 29, 1966

For those who were up early Saturday morning at about 5 am and in the vicinity of Newtown Shopping Center, the sight of Art Christie, Borough Tree Warden, planting ten Norway maples may have seemed a bit unusual. But he selected this time thinking there would be no interruptions. However, there were many, including requests for directions and questions as to what he was doing. During the early part of the week, and later in the day when he inspected the trees with Rev Paul A. Cullens, Borough Warden, no one even noticed them. This tree planting project is part of a program to beautify the Borough.

***

Due to an overload on Spring's social calendar, the Newtown Historical Society's "Come As Your Favorite Painting" dance and wine-tasting has been postponed. The party had been scheduled for April 30. A new date will be announced shortly.

***

"Spring is busting out all over," and as your daffodils, tulips and lawn are beginning to come to life, so is The Little Theatre on Orchard Hill Road Town Players are in active rehearsal for their first season. "Come Blow Your Horn" is a very funny comedy written by Neil Simon that some of you may have seen on Broadway not too long ago. Sam Walton, well known to those who frequent the theater, is once again sitting in the director's chair.

 

April 25, 1941

Comes spring, and a young man's fancy turns - as do our clocks. Yes sir, next Sunday morning, April 27, at 2 am, we push our clocks one hour ahead, giving us Daylight Saving Time and an extra hour of light in the evening. The important thing is to remember to set your clocks an hour AHEAD, before you go to bed Saturday night, so you won't be late for church Sunday morning. (We hope it's to church, you will be going.)

***

Mr and Mrs F.H. Duncombe returned home Saturday from a two weeks' vacation trip to Washington DC and other points of interest. While in Washington, they visited Mrs Duncombe's brother, Charles Olmstead and Mrs Olmstead, driving back to Newtown in a handsome Oldsmobile coupe purchased through Mr Olmstead's agency.

***

Donald Walker of Berkshire Section was seriously injured on Saturday afternoon when the brake locked and he lost control of a bicycle he was riding down Sandy Hook Hill and crashed into a stone wall. The Danbury ambulance was summoned and the young man was removed to Danbury Hospital where X-ray pictures were taken to determine his injuries. Donald is now resting comfortably at the hospital and recuperating from a fractured skull. It is hoped he may be able to return to his home soon.

***

Calvin Ludorf had unusual luck while fishing recently with a common fish hook on a pole cut in the woods, hooking a 16-inch-long trout weighing two pounds. He is having it mounted for preservation.

April 21, 1916

On Sunday night, selectman Thomas P. Brew's auto stalled in the quagmire on the road leading from the four corners to the residence of Alfred Walker. The citizens in the east end of town have been in an indignant state of mind at Highway Commissioner Bennett for allowing this awful state of affairs to continue. That he, or his contractors were responsible for the slipshod manner, the defunct contractors, carried on the work in the fall is apparent to almost any mind. That he could alleviate some of the trouble by a little work is plain to the most simple mind. One day, last week, Clark Walker got out with plow and horses and opened up a ditch, letting off some of the water. For heaven's sake Commissioner Bennett, get a move on!

***

The entertainment committee are very busy just now preparing what they expect to be the best in the entertainment line ever attempted in Dodgingtown. There will be eight good vaudeville acts and dancing afterwards. Admission, .25 cents, dancing, free. A good time is guaranteed. You are all welcome; also your friends. Tell them what a good time you had at the last dance at the Dodgingtown Fire House.

***

The attention of dog owners is called to the advertisement of selectman Brisco. It would be well for all dog owners to remember that if your dog is not registered before May 1, it will cost you an extra dollar. So register now!

***

R.W. Keeler of Wilton was a caller at The Newtown Bee office, Wednesday. On his way to Brookfield Junction, the engine on his train ran off the track near Branchville, which delayed the train for an hour or more.

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.