January 18, 1991

Breakfast talk at My Place Luncheonette this week focused on whether United States involvement in a war in the Persian Gulf deserved support. But Thursday morning, after the Allies’ January 16 air strike on military installations in Iraq and Kuwait, speculation turned to acceptance. “I think they did a heck of a job,” said waitress Kathy Reichardt. War veterans at nearby tables didn’t entirely agree. One Vietnam veteran said he was reserving judgment. Fairfield Hills Hospital Superintendent Lewis Lippner ate a breakfast sandwich as he recalled where he was at 6:30 pm, Wednesday. Listening to the radio, he thought, “I never thought I would go this far.” Unlike Vietnam, war in the Persian Gulf has immediately commanded international attention and a fixed national focus.

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Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD), an organization at Newtown High School devoted to a campaign against illegal drinking, drug abuse, and drunk driving may have to be disbanded. There is a possibility that because SADD is not a prohibitionist organization its inclusion on the school activities agenda may put the system in jeopardy of losing federal funding. A recently revised federal Drug Free Schools and Community Act mandates that schools must follow guidelines set up in the Act or lose federal funding for school lunch, transportation, and other federal grants. In effect, the Act calls for a clear “no use” message.

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Newtown High School students who went to lunch on Friday, January 11, never expected to be served in the cafeteria. Students who bought lunch had it brought to them, often with a flourish, by the town’s chief of police, the first selectman, the head librarian, the director of parks and recreation, and the school principal, among others. The luncheon was one of several events planned to “celebrate excellence” at the school. It was part of a federally-funded project designed to create a school climate that discourages drug and alcohol use by students.

January 21, 1966

Edward Borodenko was named the “Young Man of the Year” on Tuesday evening. Close to 90 people gathered at the Stony Hill Inn in Bethel for the announcement of the Jaycee’s Distinguished Service Award. His work for the Jaycees and for the town is well known. He was instrumental in staging the very successful motor boat races, last summer, in making it possible for the high school to have its first football team, in the close alliance of the Jaycees with Civil Defense. He is also the owner of the Dodgingtown Market.

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The Masonic Temple in Sandy Hook became a room in an 18th century home on Wednesday evening. A group of Past Masters presented a pageant of the granting of the charter to Hiram Lodge, the 18th to be founded. This event took place on Monday, January 17, 1791, in a room in the home of Dr Bennett Perry on Newtown’s Main Street, about where the Cyrenius H. Booth Library now stands.

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It was a real “red letter day” for students in Mrs Carolyn Page’s third grade when they all marched out to the mail box in front of Sandy Hook School and deposited letters in the container. This event on Tuesday afternoon was the final step in a letter writing course, and probably the most exciting part for the youngsters. Some of the letters only went to the local post office, while others made it as far as Hawaii.

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For the first time, Town Players is going to begin its season with a production especially for children. The play selected is entitled, “The Flying Prince,” which is based on an Indian fairy tale, and will appear at the Little Theatre, two Saturdays, March 12 and 19.The play will be directed by Marge Rogers, who is a graduate in speech and drama of Skidmore College where she specialized in children’s theatre. Mrs Rogers is anxious to include local high school students in the cast, as well as on the production staff.

 

January 17, 1941

A radio command station has been erected on Cole’s Hill, and is in charge of Staff Sergeant Raymond Algren and Privates Robert Muffley and Frank Long of the Air Defense Command of Mitchell Field. The new station will be used for the detecting of airplanes and will play a part in the airplane maneuvers that are to take place in this section from January 21 to 24.

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A restricted development is just being completed on the acreage belonging to the property known as Dr Peck’s place, located in the Mt Pleasant district of Newtown. It will be known as Currituck Heights and contains about 30 acres, with building lots of about one acre each. The development may be reached by entering the old Marcus Camp road, just off Route 6. Contractor John Kolinchak has had a crew cutting a new road through the property. The road will be known as Washington Hill Avenue. A second road will be laid out and known as Bayberry Lane.

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A benefit bridge and food sale will be held in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall on Friday, January 31, at 2 o’clock. The proceeds will go towards the fund for Bundles for Britain. Tickets will be 50 cents and refreshments will be served during the afternoon.

 

January 21, 1916

Ice cutting has been the principal occupation here for the past three weeks and thousands of tons have been cut and stored of the first crop. The creamery at Hawleyville, this week, stored over 1,000 tons. There seems to be an excellent chance of making another fine cutting soon. W.A. Honan, the Hawleyville merchant, filled his ice house, last week, cutting the supply on the pond of Joseph Turner. Selectman T.F. Brew harvested his ice drop, Saturday, securing the supply from “The Eddy” in the Pootatuck river.

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Charles R. Vance of Palestine, while out hunting rabbits, Wednesday night, accidentally shot himself in the foot with a small rifle. Dr F.J. Gale of Newtown was hastily summoned and extracted the bullet. The wound is not a very serious one, and it is believed he will make a quick recovery.

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During the vacation season at Christmas, a fine hard wood floor has been laid in the Pootatuck district school building. The walls have been neatly painted and the schoolroom is now one of the most attractive school interiors in town. Committeeman A.J. Gallagher is to be commended on the good results obtained.

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The public will be very glad to note the fact that the Miller & Upham Co of New York have leased the unoccupied portion of the Baker Building, next to the Honan Store. The firm manufactures a fine line of food products and will start business as soon as necessary improvements are made to the place. It is understood they will employ at least 20 hands and possibly more. An industry of this character will enthuse our people and no doubt help them in various ways.