January 9, 1998

Town and state police are continuing their investigation into a January 2 drive-by shooting in which local businessman William Trudeau Jr received a gunshot wound to his lower left leg. It was dark at about 5:40 pm when Mr Trudeau, 34, was in the parking lot of Trudeau Service Center, his automobile repair business at 49 South Main Street. Several large-caliber bullets were fired toward the business from an automobile traveling northbound on South Main Street, police said. An employee of the business was struck by flying glass when a bullet shattered the front window. The employee did not require hospitalization. Several customers and employees were at the business at the time of the incident. Police believe the shooting stems from one of Mr Trudeau’s business relationships.

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The Board of Selectmen voted Monday to create a new committee to study the town’s continuing need for office space. This is the second such board to be charged with finding a solution to the town’s space woes. The original space needs board, chaired by former selectman Jim Mooney, wrapped up its work nearly a year ago. The new administration of First Selectman Herb Rosenthal wants to expand its search for a new home for some town offices, however.

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Al Brinley has worn many different hats for many years. On January 30, he’s going to hang one of them up. Mr Brinley is leaving town service at the end of the month, after almost 15 years as the town’s building official. A Southbury resident, Mr Brinley also has served as one of Newtown’s four deputy fire marshals.

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In a lively discussion, Joanne Nesti, anchorwoman for 15 years at Channel 30 News, gave Newtown High School students studying journalism and video production a feel for the life and times of a newscaster. Ms Nesti and Kerry Hrabstock, video production teacher at NHS, worked together at Channel 30 before Mrs Hrabstock accepted the teaching position in Newtown. Ms Nesti described trends in television newscasting, how TV stations will try to tease viewers at TV ratings times, and related the sometimes-harrowing nature of live on-air broadcasting.

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The Board of Selectmen made several appointments and reappointments at its regular meeting Monday night. Appointed as constables for the next two years were Democrats George Blantin and James R. Stiewing, and Republicans Thomas Goosman, Donald D. MacKenzie and Carl Swanhall. Robert E. Mitchell, who is unaffiliated, and Republican Donald D. MacKenzie were both appointed to three-year terms on the Lake Zoar Authority. Democrat Lawrence Haskel was appointed to a two-year term on the Parks & Recreation Commission. Appointed to two-year terms on the Pension Committee were Democrats Mark W. Korotash, Francis A. Krasowski and Thomas M. Murtha. Also appointed were Republicans Walter Pachniuk and Dunham Smith. Republican Wendy Beres headed a list of members appointed to two-year terms on the Persons with Disabilities Committee. Others included the unaffiliated Patti C. Clary, Republicans Arthur J. Bennett and John Deegan, and Independent Bob Berkins. Democrat Frank Krasnickas was appointed to a four-year term on the Public Building & Site Committee. Republican Eugene Marks was appointed to a three-year term on the Commission on Aging, while Republican Norma K. Gray was appointed as an alternate. Republicans C. Wesley Gillingham and Susan Monks were both appointed to four-year terms on the Conservation Commission. Republican Helen Krueger was appointed to a four-year term on the Board of Ethics, and Republican Paula Hopper was given the nod to serve on the Charter Communications Advisory Council.

January 5, 1973

The Town Clerk’s office has been getting busier every year, according to Mrs Barbara Parker, and after sixteen years of it, six as Town Clerk and ten as assistant, she’s decided she’s had enough. In a letter to Clifford Bulmer, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, Mrs Parker announced that she did not plan to run for re-election next May, and would retire at the expiration of her present term July 1. “It’s just too much pressure and too much work,” she told The Bee. “This has been the year to end all years in Newtown; the redrawing of the voting districts created an impossible situation for us.”

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At its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, January 2, the Board of Police Commissioners voted to extend the scope of private duty for members of the Newtown Police Department. The decision followed a request made that evening by Chief Louis D. Marchese on behalf of his men that private duty be reinstated. The entire force had conducted a departmental meeting that morning, the Chief told the Board, and one of the requests which was made by all the men unanimously was that they be allowed to work private duty.

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The students of the play production class at Newtown High School presented the play “A Christmas Cat” for the children in the Sandy Hook School on Tuesday, December 10. High school drama teacher Mrs Mary Lucey explained the play and all about the class to the elementary school children.

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Mr and Mrs Harry Baer of Head of Meadow Road have had a holiday visit from their daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Peter Youngbaer, who were both graduated from Goddard College, Vt., last month. The young couple was married in Brookfield a year ago and spent much of the past year in Paris studying French and pursuing activities in their respective fields. They returned to Goddard for the fall trimester, completing independent senior studies required for graduation. After a visit with Peter’s parents, Mr and Mrs Peter Young of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., the couple will be returning to Vermont, where they plan to work for a while before going on to graduate school.

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The Newtown High School Athletic Association has been raising funds to purchase a universal gym machine for the school. The machine costs $2,700, of which $2,000 has been raised so far. The Association is appealing for donations so the machine may be used for the benefit of the high school’s entire athletic program. Checks of any amount, payable to Newtown High School, may be sent to the school as soon as possible.

January 2, 1948

Much pleasure has been afforded by the decorated Christmas tree on the plot of the War Memorial at the head of Main street. The project was undertaken this year by the Charles Howard Peck Post, V.F.W., in place of the Chamber of Commerce which formerly lighted the tree. The lights were strung by George and Jerry Jackson, members of the Post, and the electricity, as in the past, is being supplied with the compliments of the Danbury & Bethel Gas and Electric Light Company. The tree will continue to be lighted until the first part of next week.

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“In its stride” well describes the reaction of Newtown and its residents to the first heavy snowstorm of the 1947-48 season, which also proved to be one of the heaviest in the town’s history. The snowfall started well before dawn last Friday morning and continued almost without abatement for more than 24 hours. At its height, the snowy blanket was piling up at the rate of three inches per hour, and totaled about 18 inches. Besides being plentiful, the flakes were whipped about by a lusty wind that stacked the drifts high in most inconvenient places.

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Christmas Day guests at the home of Mrs Lucy B. Cavanaugh were Miss Eleanor Cavanaugh of New York City, Mr and Mrs James C. McGrath and family of Bridgeport, and Mr and Mrs Charles F. Cavanaugh.

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Mr and Mrs Frank E. Gilbert of Huntingtown district left on Tuesday for St. Petersburg, Fla., where they will spend the winter.

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Mr and Mrs William Deraps spent the Christmas holiday as the guests of Mrs Deraps’ parents at Waterville, Maine, and Mr and Mrs Leonard Shepard spent the Christmas week-end as the guests of Mrs Shepard’s parents at Chicopee, Mass.

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Mr and Mrs Willis Sawyer of New York were Christmas holiday guests at the home of Mrs Sawyer’s mother, Mrs Mary Ray.

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A score of young people, with Rev Paul A. Cullens as their leader, left Sunday afternoon, following the big snowstorm, for a skiing trip to Francestown, N.H. This was the 15th annual trip of its kind and the young people left in cars driven by Mr Cullens, Eric Johnson, Roland Geiger, Theodore Hamlin, and Duncan Stephens. Included in the party of young people were Joyce Green, Loretta Nichols, Joan Weeks, Katherine Hale, Katherine Wagner, Nancy Wilcox, David Eaton, Millard Goodsell, Jim Gies, Ralph Bowen, Howard Wilmore, Ted Hamlin, Duncan Stephens, Tom Stephens, William Shepard, Douglas Rogers, Jack Watkins, Richard Kline and Harry Weiss. They are expected back in Newtown as The Bee goes to press.

December 29, 1922

One of the most flagrant attempts at incendiarism was perpetrated in Sandy Hook, in the early hours of Wednesday, when a bold and clumsy attempt to fire the Troy building, formerly known as the Augur block, was made. The building is a two story structure, the first floor being rented to Dubin, the market man, who also has a store in Bridgeport. Mr Dubin sub-let the west store to Frank Delala, a boot and shoe repairer, who had a brother, Nicholas Delala, in charge of the place. Fire broke out about 2.30 am. The building had been fired in the basement, under the Delala shop. It had gained headway when discovered, but a corps of local firefighters quickly assembled and after a hard struggle, the flames were subdued. The west half of the block is pretty well gutted, as well as the lodge room of the Foresters, Court Sandy Hook, on the second floor.

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P.E. Abbott, son of Aaron and Augusta Holmes Abbott, died suddenly at his home on Newtown street, on Christmas day, where he has lived since he retired from active business. Mr Abbott was a resident of Bridgeport for many years, having been associated with the B. Ellis Marble Works and afterwards was very successful in the retail show business. He was a member of the Masonic Order; also a charter member of the Arcanum Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is survived by a sister, Miss Mary Abbott and a brother, Harvey Abbott, both of Bridgeport, also several nephews and nieces.

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The Men’s Club had a fine meeting on December 19, at the Parker House with E.C. Johnson as host and J.A. James as essayist. Mr James introduced Rev Mr Allen of Danbury, who gave a delightful talk on Australia.

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Robert Beers is at home from Yale for the Christmas vacation.

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Mr and Mrs Elmer A. Howard and daughter, Elberta, spent Christmas day with Mr and Mrs Robert Howard, of Bridgeport.

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C.P. Northrop, while working in the field Christmas day about 1.30 p.m., captured a black snake measuring 28 inches. If any one doubts the fact, call and see it.

January 7, 1898

THE OPENING OF HAWLEYVILLE CHAPEL: The Hawleyville Union chapel is now completed and will be formally opened on Wednesday afternoon, January 12. Everybody is cordially invited and particularly the clergy of all denominations from this and adjoining towns. This being a union chapel no real dedicatory services will be given. An interesting order of exercises suited to the occasion has been made out in which a prominent place is given for brief addresses by members of the clergy. Exercises will begin at 1.30.

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A SUCCESSFUL SURPRISE: On Monday evening, December 13, a few of David Parmelee’s friends proposed to give him a genuine surprise, which he always said could not be done. A few days previous the secret was told to Mrs Parmelee who helped to make it a success in every particular. The readers can better imagine than the writer can describe, his surprise when the party descended upon him. Friends from Trumbull, Easton, and Bethel were present. Mr Parmelee acknowledged defeat and gave in a hearty welcome.

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If the party who borrowed my ladder from Somers Crofutt’s place will return same they will do me a favor.—[C.W. Canfield.

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The annual meeting of the ecclesiastical society of the Congregational church was held on Monday night. The officers elected were: Society’s committee, C.B. Taylor, W.M. Reynolds, M.C. Rodgers; treasurer, Levi C. Morris; clerk, John J. Northrop; auditor, Allison P. Smith.

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Mr and Mrs G.W. Northrop of Palestine district were guests at the home of H.G. Loveland at Stevenson over Sunday night.

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Miss Mattie Ruffles is home from Bridgeport for a two weeks’ vacation, which she is passing with her parents, Dea and Mrs George Ruffles of Hawleyville.

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 shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.