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The education of intellectually gifted students has been a matter of debate for many years. Director of Pupil Personnel in Newtown, Bob Chiapetta, along with school staff and parents has proposed a comprehensive plan in phases, for the education of these academically gifted boys and girls. The committee developed a specific local definition of giftedness, from which will be determined the actual group of students.

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 After surrendering to Newtown police on Tuesday, January 3, at 5 pm, Ronald Tyler, 31, 77 Osborne Lane, Monroe, was charged with first-degree assault in connection with a New Year’s Eve shooting in Sandy Hook. Joseph A. Lia, 33, Bennett’s Bridge Road, Sandy Hook, was shot in the face, at least once, with a .45-caliber gun while sitting in his car on Gelding Hill Road. The hospital has not released reports on the condition of the victim at the request of his family.

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The idea has been tossed around for some time, but now there is a definite proposal for a summer school in Newtown on the high school level. Superintendent John Reed, at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, made a proposal for its start as a remedial program in the areas of algebra, geometry, US history, and freshman and sophomore English.

 

January 9, 1959

High winds Monday and Monday night caused many minor and several extensive interruptions in electrical service in the Newtown area. Trouble on the high-tension wire between Newtown and Danbury was the cause of most customers being put out of service. The area served by Newtown No. 4 feeder was without power for about four hours and 10 minutes.

Postmasters of Newtown, Sandy Hook, Hawleyville, and Botsford have joined to relay to patrons the announcement of sweeping improvements to service to provide next day delivery of first class letter mail to any point in Connecticut. Patrons are assured that, barring any human errors in distribution, first class letters mailed before 5 pm on a business day will be delivered to their Connecticut destination on the first delivery of the following business day.

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May Lee Ewing, newborn daughter of Mr and Mrs Edward Ewing, was so impatient to make her appearance in the New Year that she couldn’t wait to be born in Danbury Hospital. She made her entrance into the world on New Year’s morning in the trailer home of her grandparents, Mr and Mrs Edward Thurston, of the Eastern Trailer Court.

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Judge Edward E. Knapp, Newtown judge of probate, began his duties this week. Judge Knapp appointed Mrs Rosemary S. Trull to continue as clerk of the court. She first served as clerk with the late Judge Cavanaugh, then with Judge Reynolds who retired in December.

January 5, 1934

Friday and Saturday mornings, Newtown and all New England shivered under the lowest sub-zero temperature on record in many years. Friday morning the records of the thermometers were from 10 to 14 degrees below zero, and on Saturday morning 27 degrees below zero was recorded in Sandy Hook, with scores of thermometers reading 20 and 22 degrees below.

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On the first night of the New Year in the Gymnasium of the Edmond Town hall, over 300 persons witnessed a vaudeville show given by the pupils at the Zylo school in Sandy Hook. It was by far the best entertainment given by local talent to date, and those taking part are to be congratulated on the fine routine dancing, professional finish to their work, and their pretty and appropriate costumes.

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Two Tree Hill Farm Sold: The property was formerly known as the Deacon Moore farm situated in Taunton district, Newtown, on the widely known landmark, Two Tree Hill, which is one of the highest points in Fairfield County, elevation 834 feet. The property consists of a large old Colonial farmhouse, together with three barns and 225 acres of land.

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Charles A. Wilbur, who had been living alone in a cottage at Riverside, was found dead by the side of the bed, Wednesday morning, about 10 o’clock. Dr E.L. Kingman, medical examiner, gave it as his opinion that the man probably died, Monday night, as he was undressing, having sustained a shock. A neighbor, Frank Metcalf, hearing the repeated barking of a dog in the house, communicated his suspicions to the daughter.

January 9, 1909

SANDY HOOK FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY: This library has had a steady, natural growth. It now has 1,386 bound vols, and a large number of illustrated magazines which need to be bound before they are entered upon the list for circulation. The supply of new books does not meet the demands of our patrons. The children and youth, particularly, do not have sufficient room for choice to meet their wants.

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WANTED — A young man, brought up on a farm, who wants to become an artist. His one chance in a lifetime. Address A.P.L., Newtown Bee, Newtown, Conn.

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On Tuesday, December 22, Mrs Cicero Beardsley received a letter stating that a Christmas box was awaiting her at Botsford station and please to call for it on Wednesday, the 23rd. Mrs Beardsley called for the Christmas box and found it accompanied by Mr and Mrs C.H. Otten of Brooklyn, N.Y. To say the Mr and Mrs Beardsley were surprised is stating it very mildly. In the evening, Mr and Mrs Otten, dressed as Santa Claus, visited the different neighbors, who did not recognize them, causing great merriment.

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T.J. Cavanaugh of the Glen has a crop of White Pink Nose field corn of which he is justly proud. It is a fine sight to see the 1,500 bushels he raised, this year, in his bins. Many of the ears are 15 and 16 inches long and some of them weigh one and one-half pounds. This variety of field corn is a good one for the farmer to grow because it is a big yielder and it matures in 90 days.