February 5, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Ellie Lewis.

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A 17-year-old Newtown resident was driving a 1993 Ford Aerostar minivan eastbound on Berkshire Road about 3:45 pm Tuesday when he lost control of the vehicle on the wet, slippery road and began hydroplaning, police said. The minivan crossed over the westbound lane and went off the road, struck a sign, hit some vegetation, and then struck the house at 1 Berkshire Road. The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company went to the scene to assist the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, which transported the young driver to Danbury Hospital for treatment of his injuries, police said.

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Newtown’s seat of town government will remain on Main Street in the shadow of the flagpole, if the town’s municipal space needs committee gets its way. On Wednesday, the committee recommended that a 23,500-square-foot addition be constructed on the back of Edmond Town Hall. The plan would consolidate all town offices, including the Board of Education, on Main Street. Town Hall South would be renovated for the police department and a new building for the Hook & Ladder Fire Company would be built somewhere in the center of town. The plan also calls for the Parks & Recreation Department to be moved to the middle school, which is expected to have added space with the Board of Education offices moving out.

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The state Department of Correction (DOC) has named Giovanny Gomez as the new warden at Garner Correctional Institution, the high-security prison on Nunnawauk Road. Mr Gomez, 43, began work as Garner’s warden Monday. He replaces former warden Remi Acosta who the DOC has assigned as warden of the New Haven Correctional Center. Gomez is the third warden for Garner, which opened in November 1992. Frank Crose was the prison’s first warden. Acosta replaced Crose in 1996.

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Republican Pat Shea was sworn into office as the newest state representative from the 112th district on January 6 in Hartford. The Monroe resident defeated Democrat Andrew Nunn this past November to assume the seat vacated by Bill Varese who stepped down in mid-term. Mrs Shea was sworn in along with seven new Republicans and 12 Democrats. … She will serve on three committees — education, transportation and human services — and has already proposed legislation in the areas of education and transportation. Mrs Shea also attended Gov John Rowland’s inaugural ball during which she sat with a contingent of Newtown residents. No one from the Monroe Republican Town Committee was present. The party remains split following an emotional election season last summer and fall. … District 112 covers all of Monroe and parts of Botsford and Sandy Hook.

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Few realize all the hard work that goes into leading the Newtown Tennis Association, especially for the president. New NTA President Bill Meier took the opportunity at the last Executive Board meeting to make a special presentation to Roger Giordano, his immediate predecessor. Roger, who led the organization for two years and who served on the Executive Committee before that, remains on the Executive Board for another two years, the tenure of Bill’s term.

February 1, 1974

Every fisherman has his tale of the “big one that got away,” but Bob Conger, a student at Newtown High School and the son of Mr and Mrs John Conger, has a different tale — about the one that didn’t get away. During Christmas vacation Bob took off for Florida and competed in a shark fishing tournament off Miami Beach shores. Bob ended up winning the tournament without any question since he caught himself a 635-pound, nearly 13-foot-long hammerhead shark. As far as anyone knows, the shark is a record for any caught in the United States and right now officials are checking into the possibility that it may be a record for any caught in the world.

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Newtown’s Grand List for the year ending October 1, 1973, shows an increase of $12,887,896 in net assessments over the previous year’s total, good for an 8.35 per cent boost. The taxable net assessment for 1973 is $167,195,129, while the 1972 figure was $154,307,233. Increases were recorded, in the Assessors’ figures, which were filed this week with the Town Clerk, across the boards in the three categories — real estate, motor vehicles, and personal property. Large increases can be seen in the assessments on houses, factories, machinery in the town’s plants, manufacturer’s inventory, and motor vehicles.

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The Newtown Energy Committee took a positive view of the energy crisis at its Monday, January 28 meeting, suggesting that Sunday family festivals might be sponsored to provide local entertainment for families hampered by the shortages. Some of the possible activities thrown out for discussion were: old fashioned Sunday band concerts, antique shows, fashion shows, walking races and other athletic events. The underlying idea of all the events would be to help people conserve gasoline, so the festivals might be run in different sections of town. Perhaps Newtown’s various service clubs could each sponsor one Sunday’s activities, it was suggested.

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The Planning and Zoning Commission has decided that it cannot hear a presentation from the Boggs Hill Group on whether the December, 1970, referendum on the Boyle site is invalid. The Boggs Hill Group members had requested in a letter to the Commission on January 18 that they be allowed to make their presentation. The former owners of the Boyle site on Boggs Hill Road contend that the original referendum was invalid because the three-member site committee which recommended the Boyle land as a school site was not properly appointed by the Board of Selectmen as required by Town Charter. Also, they contend, a town meeting never had the opportunity to act on the appointment of the site committee.

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Gloria J. Frawley and Cynthia Weyerstrass of Newtown are among 19 LPN students who received diplomas January 29 in graduation exercises of the practical nurse education program in Henry Abbott Regional Vocational-Technical School. The practical nurse program is sponsored by the Connecticut State Department of Education, Division of Vocational-Technical Education, in cooperation with the Danbury Hospital.

January 28, 1949

Over 150 persons gathered on Saturday evening at the Alexandria Room, Edmond Town Hall, to enjoy a highly successful dinner dance featuring the presentation of the permanent Charter to the newly organized Lions Club of Newtown. The program was called to order by Charter Night chairman, Ray Trimpert, and tribute was paid to the Danbury Lions Club for their important services in sponsoring the local organization. Invocation was offered by the Reverend Paul A. Cullens of the Newtown Congregational church. … Mr Trimpert introduced the toastmaster of the evening, Judge Paul A. Cavanaugh. It was a sincere pleasure for the many friends of Judge Cavanaugh to welcome him back in his first public appearance since his recent illness. The masterful manner in which he conducted the festivities proved that he has lost none of his skill or wit. … Special guests included a Lions International representative, district governor, deputy district governor, zone chairman, Danbury Lions president, Ridgefield Lions president, Bethel Lions president, and Fred Rees, representing the Newtown Rotary Club. … The Charter was accepted by President George Trull of the Newtown Club who expressed the belief that the local organization would reflect credit upon Lions International. A bell and gavel were presented to President Trull by the Danbury Lions, presentation being made by President Louis Unger. A set of the International flags was presented by President Frank Warner of the Ridgefield Lions.

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Two representatives of the Newtown Parent Association attended the meeting of the Newtown Board of Education held in Hawley school last Friday evening, January 21, at 8 o’clock. They were L.E. Pelletier, president, and Richard Hubbard, chairman of the hot lunch research committee. Findings of the committee to date were reported to the board, the issue of enlarging the school lunch program discussed, but no action was taken.

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New members of the community are Mr and Mrs W. Cranston Brewer and children of Wyncote, Penna., who are now established in their new home at the head of Main Street, the former property of Mr and Mrs Norman A. Fedde. Mr Brewer is manager of the Mallory division of the Stetson Hat Company in Danbury.

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Word has been received from college that Miss Gloria Rasmussen of Dodgingtown, a student of Larson College, New Haven, has been made Chief Medical Secretary Office Practice Supervisor, also editor and chief of the college year book, “‘The Larsonian.”

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Mrs Roy LaPlant of Bethel has been appointed manager of Genung’s Beauty Salon in Danbury. Mrs LaPlant is the former Beatrice Morgan of Sandy Hook.

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Although their option does not actually expire until February 1st, Messrs John Gerald of Roxbury and Charles R. Hamilton of Shelton have given Mrs Edith Parker notice, through their lawyer, that they do not intend to complete the purchase of the Parker House. This action comes as considerable of a surprise to Mrs Parker and to Borough residents who gave every indication, at the recent hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeals, of a friendly reception to the prospective purchasers. As a result of the hearing, permission was readily given for the changes which they stated they were eager to make to the property and for the type of business use to which they planned to convert the building.

January 25, 1924

In the annual report of the Connecticut Home Egg Laying Contest for the year, ending November 1, 1923, Richard Bevans of this place is mentioned as being one of the 10 poultrymen in the state having the best back yard flock of birds. Mr Bevans’ flock of white leghorns averaged 178.18 eggs per bird. The average egg production for the contest is 143.1 eggs per bird. White Wyandottes captured the prize for the entire state, his birds averaging 200.8 eggs per bird.

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On Tuesday evening, the regular meeting of the Pootatuck Grange was held at the Grange rooms. As this was the installation of officers night, a large number were on hand to see the officers installed by Mrs Bruce Randall, assisted by Mrs J.C. Randall of the Bridgewater Grange. Following the installation of officers, the lecturer’s program consisted of the following: Song, “Merrily Sing,” Grange. Talk, “Needs of Our Town,” Paul V. Cavanaugh. Interesting remarks on the above talk were then made by Jacob H. Backer of Danbury Grange. Reading, “The Faith that I Have,” Lydia A. Glover. Cake, ice cream, and coffee were served by Home Economics Committee. Four visitors from Bridgewater were present.

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The thermometer registered three degrees below zero in Sandy Hook, Tuesday morning.

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The thermometer showed a record of two degrees below zero at Hawleyville, Tuesday morning.

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The thermometer in Taunton, Tuesday morning, registered at zero. The ice crop for the daily men is now in sight.

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The radiator on a truck belonging to the New England Dry Milk Co., of Hawleyville froze up while coming from Bridgeport, Monday night, and the driver was obligated to leave the truck on Toll Gate Hill.

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Mr and Mrs Clayton Clark of Hartford called on Hawleyville friends, Monday.

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There was a party at E.B. Camp’s, Saturday night, in honor of Mr and Mrs Ben Maynard.

February 3, 1899

A most enjoyable evening was spent by the people on Mt Pleasant at the home of Mrs H.B. Dikeman, last Friday evening, when they were invited to her home to, as it was said, get acquainted. It is needless to say that a most delightful evening was passed and no doubt more of these gatherings will be had there, it being a good way to promote neighborly good feeling and fellowship, tho’ on “the Hill” that does not need much promoting.

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DODGINGTOWN: Michael Fauls and daughter, Miss Mary, of Greenfield, have been recent guests of his brother, Andrew Fauls. | Mrs Francis Platt of Redding is caring for her mother, Mrs George Crane, who is ill with the grip. | A.E. Bevans and Harry Plumb of Bethel gave an entertainment at the Flat Swamp schoolhouse on Saturday evening, January 28. | Mrs E.J. Bell of Bethel has been passing a few days with her sister, Mrs John W. Behn, who is quite sick. | Andrew G. Nash is very sick, threatened with pneumonia. | Miss Nellie Barnum has been entertaining her friend, Miss Esther Ferry of Bethel.

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HATTERTOWN: A pleasant social and dance was held at Neil Gilbert’s, last Thursday evening. | George R. and J.B. Parmelee have sold about 100 chestnut trees for telegraph poles. | Henry Morgan and Pro E. Harris are away on a lecturing tour. | The young people gave their friend, Henry Penny, a surprise party, Friday evening. | Mrs C.M. Penny and infant son have returned to their Bridgeport home.

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The reception given Mr and Mrs Homer Baldwin at the home of Mrs Lucy Baldwin in Hanover, last week Friday evening, was a very pleasant affair. About 60 were present and dancing was enjoyed to music furnished by Peck and Bliss.

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The funeral of Charles Warner was largely attended on Friday at 1 p.m., at his late residence in Zoar. Rev F.H. Sawyer officiated. The interment was in the family lot in the Berkshire cemetery. For many years Mr Warner ran the saw mill in Zoar, but for some time past has been unable to carry on his work. Although in poor health his death came rather suddenly late Tuesday night, when he died of heart trouble. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Samantha Warner, two grandchildren, Frederick W., and Miss Jessie Botsford, three brothers, Russell L. and John Warner of Newtown, and Harry D. Warner of Bridgeport, and two sisters, Mrs Jane Clark of Newtown and Mrs Jennette Rodgers of Bridgeport. John Warner, Russell Warner, Frederick Bemis, Homer G. Bleck, Charles Botsford and R.N. Betts acted as pall bearers. His family have the sincere sympathy of many friends in their sad bereavement. Mrs Warner desires to thank her friends and neighbors for their sympathy and kindly aid in her late bereavement.

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.