* * *

Newtown ninth graders excelled in statewide proficiency tests administered in October 1981, showing marked improvement over scores on the same test in October 1980. The Newtown scores coincided with overall improvement in test scores on a statewide basis. The ninth grade test, designed as a screening device for the purpose of identifying students who may need extra help, was administered in March 1979, October 1980, and October 1981.

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After almost half a century of existence, the Board of Trustees of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library are proposing changes in how its membership is selected, allowing the Town of Newtown to name some of the trustees. Under a proposal which will be acted upon at the board’s next meeting, March 9, six of the 18 members would be appointed by the first selectman, with the approval of the Legislative Council. Town officials have discussed the need for more town control of the board.

* * *

Members of Trinity’s 250th Anniversary Committee gathered in the Johnson Room this week to plan several activities to celebrate the event. Plans include a concert and lecture series; a history including aerial pictures; a time capsule designed and executed by Trinity young people; a fall play; a taped oral history by long-term church members; a Trinity Weekend based on an English Fair theme; a float for the Labor Day Parade; and special worship using a historical liturgy.

* * *

“Religious paintings have no place in a public building,” said First Selectman Jack Rosenthal as he ordered that three large paintings of local artist Louis Jacaruso be taken down from Town Hall South. “It’s a matter or separation of church and state.” Mr Rosenthal said he removed them last Thursday after receiving a complaint from a resident, not an employee, who had business in town hall.

* * *

This week over 70 cities in the United States reported record-breaking temperatures, and though we often mark past events by the weather, it’s easy to forget how hot or how cold it was only last year. This time last year, temperatures went to the teens and twenties below zero, but on average it wasn’t one of our coldest winters. The eastern half of the country had its coldest winter in 200 years in 1977.

* * *

Polly Brody of Newtown will present a slide lecture entitled “Body Language of Gulls,” at the January meeting of the Western Connecticut Bird Club on Tuesday, January 19, at the Southbury town Hall. Club President Leon Barkman cordially invites anyone interested in birding or nature observation to attend.

 

January 18, 1957

Christmas 1956 will never be forgotten by Joe and Magda, for it was their first Christmas in a free land; their first Christmas unclouded by the rule of totalitarian government and the bleakness of the want and hardship imposed by that rule. Joe and Magda spent Christmas this year safe and free with warm, loving friends, in Newtown, USA. Not quite two months ago they were fleeing for their lives across Hungary with another young married couple, escaping to Austria, under the constant threat of being stopped or shot by Hungarian soldiers. They look forward to the day they will become citizens of the country that gave them sanctuary.

* * *

Schools were closed in Newtown and other towns in the area, cars immobilized, and road crews busy, as the region was blanketed by snow that began Tuesday night and continued most of Wednesday morning and afternoon, and nipped by more sub-zero temperatures. An unofficial report from Sandy Hook was a reading of 16 below zero.

* * *

More than 100 persons heard a most informative presentation by James F. Hinckley entitled “Causes of Misbehavior” at the Newtown PTA monthly meeting Tuesday evening held in the Newtown High School auditorium. Mr Hinckley, principal of Newtown High School, stressed that to reduce discipline problems, the teachers and parents must have a greater understanding knowledge of adolescent growth and development.

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SIZZLIN’ SPECIALS NEWTOWN TRU VALU SUPER MARKET Butter 69 cents lb; Eggs 47 cents dozen; Chuck Roast 29 cents lb; Lean, All Beef Hamburg 2 lb for 69 cents; Sunrise Coffee lb bag 95 cents; Mascot Dog Food 15 cans $1; Campbell’s Tomato Soup 10 cans 99 cents; Sunshine Krispy Crackers 2 lb boxes 49 cents; The New Comet Cleanser 2 Giant Tins 41 cents.

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Attention MOUSKETEERS IT’S HERE! YOUR OFFICIAL MICKEY MOUSE CLUB PINAFORE AND DRESS AS SEEN ON THE FAMOUS TV SHOW The Pinafore trimmed with rick-rack and Mouseketeer emblem. The dress is puff-sleeved and puff-skirted. Both in sturdy, crease-resistant Bates cotton. Dress in 3 – 6x, $4.95, $3.95; 7 – 10 $4.95. DOROTHY D NEWTOWN SHOPPING CENTER

 

* * *

Immediate steps to establish Newtown as part of a regional vocational agricultural group, and the discontinuation of the present Vo-ag course in Newtown after the 1957-58 year, are advocated by the Vo-Ag Study Group in its report to the Board of Education. Because of the changing needs in the area and the fact that the community is rapidly becoming suburban rather than rural, the group recommends that the curriculum should achieve greater diversification with the inclusion of courses in nursery care, greenhouse care, and landscaping courses, as well as the purely agricultural courses.

 

January 15, 1932

The United States George Washington Bicentennial commission is planning to celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington entirely in keeping with the motive expressed by congress, “that future generations of American Citizens may live according to the example and precept of his exalted life and character and thus perpetuate the American Republic. Among the outstanding educational activities of the Commission which is of special interest to teachers and student-teachers is the George Washington Appreciation Course and the Handbook prepared as a suggestive guide for this study course.

* * *

The public hearing by the zoning commission on Friday night in the Alexandria room, at the Edmond Town hall, on the zoning regulations for the borough was attended by 200 people, and was a thoroughly representative gathering. The meeting was conducted in a dignified manner and the chairman acted in a fair and impartial way toward all. Only one protest was made, and the gentleman making it was asked to put it in writing which he agreed to do.

* * *

William Ferris, who was recently severely injured in an accident in Bethel, and who is in the Danbury hospital, is gaining slowly. The injury consisted of two large broken bones in the ankle and the ankle was severely crushed. Mr Ferris was standing back of a loaded truck, taking off a coal chute, when in some manner the truck backed and one wheel ran over his ankle. It was feared for some days that infection might have set but that danger seems to have cleared up.

* * *

Those who were obliged to be on the highways Saturday night, found themselves in hard luck, with the whirling snow, which plastered itself on the windshield. About two inches of snow in depth fell during the night. It was the first real look of winter hereabouts. Today, Thursday, January 13, is the most remarkable winter day on record. The thermometer registered 93 in the sun and 73 in the shade at noon. Why go to Florida?

* * *

The latest additions of the comprehensive chain of meat and grocery stores of First National Stores, Inc, in the Reiner block at Sandy Hook opens at 6 pm, Thursday, for inspection only. On Friday morning at 8 o’clock, the doors will open for business. This new combination market embraces the most modern equipment and has been stocked with the high grade First National foodstuffs.

* * *

Miss Lillian Troy of Newtown, who resigned as principal of Edison school, Long Hill, last July, to carry out a life-long ambition to become a nun, was a member of a class of 12 who received the white veil of the Order of Sisters of Mercy in Hartford, Saturday morning. A childhood ambition to enter the sisterhood prevented her from doing so when her mother, Mrs Elizabeth Troy, died and her conscience prompted her to help her father, Martin Troy.

 

January 18, 1907

Patrick Mahoney, who has been at the St Vincent hospital for treatment, was able to return to his home at Botsford, last week. Mrs Patrick Mahoney, who lives near Botsford depot, would like a few washings to do at her home.

* * *

At the Congregational Church, Sunday morning, the audience enjoyed a treat in an interesting address on Mission Work in India by Rev Edward S. Hume, D.D., a veteran missionary from that country and greatly beloved by the Congregational denomination. Dr Hume said one thing being impressed on the Indian converts was the necessity of having courage to do one’s duty. Dr Hume finds the Christian spirit and judgment is abroad in India.

* * *

A number of changes have been made in the personnel of the force under Agent J.A. James at the Hawleyville depot. Baggage Master Honan becomes clerk, succeeding Edwin L. Pierce, who has gone to Rochester, N.Y. Louis B. Dickinson of South Britain takes the place of Mr Honan as baggage master. J.M. Osborne becomes night operator, succeeding S.W. Halstead, who has entered the employ of the Southern Pacific railroad at Omaha, Neb.

* * *

Miss Agnes Platt has been chosen to illustrate by Italian songs a lecture given by Henderson, the musical critic of the New York Sun, Thursday, January 17, at the Musical Art Institute of New York City. Frank Damrosch is to accompany her.

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LIBRARY SALE There will be a sale at Sandy hook, this (Friday) afternoon and evening, for the benefit of the library. Things given to sell, include vegetables, fruit, and cooked food; cakes, coffee, sandwiches, cream, candy; also fancy and useful articles; photographs of library building, catalogues of the books; and other things too numerous to mention.