* * *

“This is one of those stories that has a happy ending,” said Ed Muraszkin, secretary of the Newtown Fish and Game Club, as he told The Bee how two members of the club rescued a local resident who fell through the ice on Taunton Lake early Saturday afternoon. He said that James Repko was ice skating alone, “just him and his dog,” when he fell through thin ice in the middle of the pond. Fortunately, the accident was witnessed by two Fairfield residents, Ray Wisniewski and Jack Short who were fishing near the shore. Both men are also members of the Fairfield Fire Department.

* * *

The Newtown Bee was cited for excellence and its sports editor Bill Brassard took top honors for a sports feature story at the New England Press Association’s annual awards dinner Friday, January 21. In presenting The Bee with a third place award in the general excellence category of the annual newspaper contest, NEPA judges noted that it provides “the most comprehensive coverage of any paper in its class” and praised the paper’s strong editorial voice on community affairs.

* * *

Officials were not prepared to say this week whether the $6,508,488 total in the Town of Newtown’s municipal budgets proposed for the 1983-84 fiscal year by the various town departments met First Selectman Jack Rosenthal’s edict that budgets not increase by more than two percent, excepting personnel items.

* * *

Area residents said the proposal was improved compared to an application of over two years ago, but they continued to insist during a Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing January 20 that there are major environmental limitations on the proposal of Madison Sayles of Norwalk and Henry O’Neill of New Canaan for a 14 lot section of the 304 acre “old Farm Hills” subdivision.

* * *

The care and feeding of the town’s famous monument — the 100 foot Main Street flagpole — has become the specialty of one of Newtown’s finest, Police Sergeant Dave Lydem. His efforts to restore the damaged golden ball to the top of the 32-year-old pole that sits in the middle of Route 25 has become an avocation. Wednesday afternoon, the sergeant provided quite a spectacle as he managed to have a huge Mariano Brothers crane come to town and perch in the middle of Main Street, hauling a workman up to the top of the pole to carry out an inspection of the mount for the ball.

* * *

Plans of the State Bureau of Forestry to complete a 10,400-foot woodlands access road through Paugussett State Forest North off Hanover Road drew heavy fire at a public hearing Tuesday, because of residents’ fears of improper tree cutting that could follow.

January 31, 1958

A total of six persons gathered at Edmond Town Hall on Friday evening as the annual town meeting reconvened to hear and act on the auditor’s report. The entire meeting, including the reading of the call and report and the vote of approval took about six to seven minutes. First Selectman Edward J. Cole said after the meeting that town officials do not plan to hold the session next year.

* * *

The Rev Stuart C. Haskins, Jr, associate minister of the Newtown Congregational Church, has this week accepted a call to become pastor of the North Haven Congregational Church. Mr Haskins will assume his new post in mid-April. Mr Haskins has been the associate minister of the Newtown Congregational Church since June, 1955, where he was ordained in September of that year. He has been assistant chaplain at Fairfield State Hospital, has worked on the town’s recreational program, and is a Scoutmaster.

* * *

The fastest selling sports-car in America! The MGA, The safest, fastest MG ever engineered. Equipped with Heater, Adjustable Steering, and Windshield Wiper. FOR ONLY $2,579.00 An MGA On Display At Both BRAGG SHOWROOMS, FEDERAL ROAD AND 82 WEST STREET FOREIGN CARS OF DANBURY

* * *

At Tuesday night’s regular meeting of the Newtown Board of Education held in the high school, reports on educational progress were presented. James F. Hinckley, the high school principal, presented a three-year comparison of standardized test scores for grade eight. All subjects indicated a class standing substantially above the national norm in everything but spelling. In math and science, both the elementary and high school students show outstanding progress.

* * *

The mid-year strength testing of all the High School boys is arousing much interest among them. The records allow each boy to compare his averages for the past three years, or two if only a junior high student. The testing takes in pull ups, sit ups in one minute; push ups in one minute; wall bounce of basketball; and one minute of basketball goal shooting. The test combines strength of shoulder, abdominal wall and winter game skills.

* * *

Dr William F. Green, superintendent, has announced that Fairfield State Hospital has been fully accredited for three years of residency training in psychiatry. Dr Green said, “This is the primary accreditation which a hospital seeks. It means a higher professional standing.”

 

January 27, 1933

A new Fagin type of racket has appeared in town. Young boys appeared canvassing for some magazine or weekly. At one house in the Borough, after being told by the man of the house he did not wish to subscribe, they went around in front and stole a bottle of milk that had been left for the day. At another house they entered a rear hallway, and finding no one came to the door, they made off with a part of a grocery order. It is said they are accompanied by a man driving a large car who keeps at a distance.

* * *

In the Senate at Hartford, Tuesday, Senator Shepard introduced a bill appointing Edward R. Hampton Judge of the Newtown Town Court. The same day, in the House, Representative Connor, by request, introduced a bill appointing Harry Bradley deputy judge of the Newtown Town Court.

* * *

Lionel Savage, who is employed by the T.J. Connor Company at the head of the Street, thinks that the 13th of January is an unlucky day. He was cranking a truck and the crank got away from him and broke his arm just above the wrist. Mr Savage is getting along as well as can be expected.

* * *

Anthony Amaral, proprietor of Amaral’s Garage, has just installed Socony pumps in front of his garage. This garage will be a 100 percent Socony station, and will carry a complete line of Socony products, such as grease, oils, top-dressing, etc. Mr Amaral is shortly to accept the agency for a well-known tire and a battery service station will also be installed.

* * *

The introduction of a resolution in the general assembly at Hartford, Tuesday, for the appointment of a commission to investigate rumors of irregularities in connection with the construction of the Fairfield State hospital at Newtown, has caused interest throughout the state and has brought prompt response from members of the commission having in charge the construction and equipment of the hospital, who say they know of nothing irregular about the hospital activities and that they will welcome any investigation into the acts for the commission that may be undertaken.

* * *

The card party, Friday night, at St Rose’s Casino, under the auspices of the Children of Mary Sodality, for the benefit of St Rose’s church, promises to be largely attended and a social success. Sections have been arranged for bridge, whist, pinochle and forty-five, and prizes will be awarded to the winners in each section.

 

January 31, 1908

Postmaster E.C. Platt of Hawleyville desires to call attention to the practice of some patrons of rural delivery of placing loose coins in their boxes each time they desire to dispatch letters instead of supplying themselves with postage in advance of their needs. This practice imposes undue hardship on rural carriers in removing loose coins from boxes and delays them on the service of their routes. It is also very desirable that rural patrons place in their mail boxes small detachable cups of wood or tin in which to place coins, when necessary, in purchasing supplies of stamps.

* * *

The thermometer registered nine degrees below zero, Thursday morning, at the residence of A.P. Smith, at 6:45 am. This weather will wreath in smiles the faces of Messrs Stevens and Johnson. Who wouldn’t be the ice man?

* * *

Attorney James M. Betts has been in town for the last few days, calling upon people in the interest of collecting bills for Betts & Betts. Those who show a willingness to do their best will be fairly treated but those who don’t and won’t pay will be treated in a severe manner.

* * *

The second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Newtown Water Company was held at the Probate Office, Saturday evening, at 7:30 o’clock, for the purpose of electing directors for the ensuing year, and to hear the report of the treasurer. The report of the treasurer conclusively proved that the company for the first year of its existence to be in a very satisfactory condition.

* * *

The house of Mrs Grant on Botsford Hill was burned to the ground about 10 o’clock, Wednesday. Mrs Grant was on the way to the place, in company with Deputy Sheriff C.B. Johnson, to take possession, having bought the property of the Newtown Savings bank. When Mrs Grant and Mr Johnson drove up to the place, Wednesday, smoke was seen coming through the roof. It was impossible to save the building. The origin of the fire is a mystery. The house was insured for $1200.