January 19, 1996

The Borough’s Historic District Study Committee has decided to proceed with a proposal to create a scaled-down version of the historic district, which was narrowly defeated in four previous tries. “Of the 89 properties (in the original proposal) the owners of 55 — more than half — have said they still want to participate,” said Kathy Jamison, the committee chairman... Mrs Jamison said the boundaries of the new proposed district would be “essentially the same” as the original proposal. It would stretch from 16-18 South Main to 82 Main Street, along West Street to No 11, along Currituck to No 10 and on Church Hill Road to The Bee.

***

In name, the Newtown High School mascot appears alive and well along Berkshire Road in Sandy Hook, but the Native American symbol has slowly begun to disappear from the school. The debate over whether or not the Indian mascot was offensive started two years ago... “It’s still our mascot, but nobody really acknowledges it,” said senior Kristina Petretti... NHS Physical Education teacher Dan Winsette said the de-emphasization of the Indian has been a natural progression for the faculty... a decision as to whether the Newtown Indians will remain the “Newtown Indians” can be expected by the end of this school year.

***

You might say that Pete was lucky Thursday morning. Although his barn was in shambles, Pete was intact. The 18-year-old, ivory colored pony was minding his own business in his barn at the Moran residence on Sugar Street... then sometime after 8 am, the barn fell down around him, collapsing due to the accumulation of wet snow on its roof... Fortunately for Pete, the place where he was standing was the only section of the barn that hadn’t collapsed, allowing firefighters to gingerly extricate him in about 10 minutes of careful work.

***

The Board of the Newtown District Department of Health hired Kathleen M. Purches on Tuesday as the district’s new director of environmental health... She is filling a newly created position, which has a salary of $47,000 a year... Mark A.R. Cooper, the district’s health director, said the new administrative position was created because of many increasing demands that are being placed on the district due to the residential building boom, increasing number of food establishments, construction of the town sewer system, expansion of public health services, and environmental problems that have caused the contamination of some residents’ wells.

***

In terms of mere size alone, it was like David going up against Goliath, and once again David (in this case the Newtown High School boys’ swim team) had its slingshot out and humming. Coach Brian Rieff is trying to rebuild the Indians with just 17 swimmers at his disposal, but on Tuesday night that was more than enough as Newtown upended Joel Barlow, 43 swimmers strong, 96-74.

***

The 45-foot bright yellow C-SPAN school bus stopped off at Newtown High School Wednesday morning on its Campaign ‘96 tour across America. The traveling TV studio and media demonstration center is visiting schools all over the United States to help teach students and teachers how C-SPAN’s campaign and election coverage can be used to bring the political process to life in the classroom.

January 15, 1971

Approximately 20 people came to the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night to express their opinions on what items should be given consideration in preparing the 1971-72 Board of Education Budget. Also present were the various school principals who explained why they felt their budget requests for the coming year were vital. All of those who spoke presented ideas that would cost money, and no one put forth ideas on how to economize on the budget.

***

Townspeople should feel gratified to read the following letter to Borough Warden Paul Cullens from Manuel Antonio, who installed the spotlight on the Chase Building to illuminate the flag on the flagpole day and night, donating his time, labor and materials to the town. “It was with great pleasure that I tackled the illumination project of the flagpole in Newtown, Connecticut. Working with people with great enthusiasm for love of country, and unselfish pride in their community was quite an experience indeed... May your flag fly high and proud as the symbol of individual liberty, justice, and equal opportunity to all who take pride in what our flag represents...” Antonio Electric, 9 Prospect Street, Danbury

***

Freezing rain and snow is blanketing Newtown as The Bee goes to press this week and the Town Road Crews are out doing their very best to keep the roads in good order for motorists. First Selectman Timothy Treadwell informed The Bee that after a full day of routine work, the crews began sanding and plowing at 1:30 am Thursday morning and by 8 had plowed approximately 215 miles of road... The fact Newtown schools remained open is proof these men do such a great job, for they put the roads in good enough condition for even the earliest school buses to travel without difficulty.

***

The See-Saw Square Dance Club will have a Beginner’s Dance, January 17, in the Newtown Middle School, Queen Street, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. A beginner’s dance is for all beginners in square dance clubs in this area. Come on and join us and see if you are learning your lessons right.

***

The newly formed Winterset Ski Club sponsored its inaugural ski trip on Saturday, January 9, to Butternut Basin in Massachusetts. Forty-nine hearty skiers rendezvoused behind the Edmond Town Hall to board the chartered bus and head to ski country... After a fine day with some tender muscles, the skiers boarded their homebound bus at 4:30 pm, and with songfests and refreshments for young and old, it was the unanimous consensus that the Winterset Ski Club was off to a terrific start.

***

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR HIGH SCHOOL PLAY: Mirrors (any shape, any condition), Fabric, Sheets, discarded angel hair, tinsel, Christmas ornaments. Drama Club, Newtown High School. Call Mrs Lucey at 426-5896 or 426-5119.

January 11, 1946

Mrs Stuart Wilder of Taunton Hill Road received a surprise visit on Saturday from her distinguished brother, General Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell who arrived at the Danbury airport by plane flown by his personal pilot, Maj E.J. Theisen of Detroit, and accompanied by his aide, Col Francis Hubbard of Los Angeles... A graduate of West Point in the class of 1904, Joseph Stilwell served on the staff of Gen Pershing during World War I and remained in Europe for some time with the Army of Occupation. He later went to China. His long service in the regular army and his experiences in the Far East during World War II make a thrilling story.

***

Hawley High School won handily from Henry Abbott Technical School of Danbury on the Edmond Town Hall court last Friday night. The score at half-time was 25-17, and 42-34 at the final whistle.

***

There was particular interest last week evidenced by friends and relatives from many parts of Connecticut, in the return home of two brothers-in-law, T Sgt Francis Bresson, son of Fred Bresson, Sr of Gray’s Plain, and Sgt T-4 Jacques S. Maye, son of Mr and Mrs Clement Maye of Botsford. Both entered the Army on the same day three years and four months ago, both served in the Pacific area, and, while they never saw each other, were at one time without their knowledge stationed within two miles of each other. The “welcome home” developed on Sunday into the most complete reunion of the Bresson family since before the war.

***

After reposing in the Smith-Scudder barn since the outbreak of the war, the hockey rink of the Newtown Athletic Club made its appearance Saturday afternoon on Taylor Field through courtesy of the Plastic Molding truck and numerous helpers. Through the enthusiasm of Rev Paul A. Cullens and Coach Harold DeGroat, the rink is now ready for suitable weather in which to flood it. If and when the weather arrives, the rink will be open to all children and adults who wish to take advantage of a little outdoor exercise.

***

Timid souls of the Casper Milquetoast variety who have never dared venture inside an airplane, can well take a leaf from the diary of Mrs Elizabeth Bale of Hawleyville, who on December 28th, left LaGuardia Field, New York, buy airplane to fly to Fort Worth, Texas, arriving on the 29th. Mrs Bale, who is 84 years old, reports — “The trip was wonderful!”

***

Hawley school ninth and tenth grade agricultural students went on an expedition into the Town Forest, Monday, led by Vincent P. Gaffney, teacher of Vocational Agriculture, to study and get experience in forest conservation... The first trek to the Taunton wood lot was by necessity exploratory in nature. Actual work done was to be determined on the ground and would depend upon ground and weather conditions... What Newtown does with its wood lot is an integral part of what the nation does with its forests.

December 31, 1920

Go To The Basketball Game And Dance: On Friday evening, New Year’s eve, the Newtown Square Heads will meet the Main Street Pin Heads at the Town hall. “Rod” Shepard will handle the whistle. David Glover and Hermon H. Peck will act as moderators. A good lively game is guaranteed, after which dancing will follow, music being furnished by a three-piece orchestra. Tax, gentlemen 30 cents, ladies 25 cents.

***

An ornate glass enclosed outside porch has been erected over the main entrance to the Newtown Savings Bank building by Contractor Nils Martin.

***

A Christmas tree service was held in St John’s church, Tuesday night, for the Sunday school children, with a good attendance. There was a distribution of gifts, and the singing of carols. Rev Mr Lasher gave an interesting talk to the children.

***

Charles E. Beers, a prominent farmer of Palestine district was the victim of a serious accident, last Friday afternoon. He was returning from Botsford with a load of grain, and arriving in his yard, in some way lost his balance and fell off the load, striking his head. One of the vertebrae in his neck was broken. As Mr Beers is 77 years old, the situation is naturally serious. Mr Beers has served on the board of selectmen, and as a member of the Board of Relief.

***

Hoover Relief Fund Growing: Through the agency of The Newtown Savings Bank over $600 has already been forwarded, which will save 60 children from starvation this winter. Doubtless there are many others who will gladly give, but have overlooked the matter. Don’t delay. Let’s make it at least 100 children to the credit of the old town,which has the reputation of putting its hands in its pockets for every good cause.

***

The Oakdale farm in Newtown, formerly known as the McCarthy farm, has been purchased from B.C. Bolmer of New Haven, by Michael and Mary B. Smith, of Beaver Brook district in Danbury. The farm consists of about 150 acres. All tools, 35 tons of hay, and other crops are included in the purchase, together with 21 head of cattle, a pair of horses and other stock... The new owners take immediate possession of the property and intend to develop it as a dairy farm.

Your memories are the ones we want to share! 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 editor@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.