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The Newtown Board of Education and the Federation of Teachers recently reopened negotiations on the three-year contract signed last year, and quickly reached agreement on the changes to be made in the existing contract. As a result, Newtown will now be eligible for about $1 million in state funds under the Educational Enhancement Act.

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Newtown swept clean the mats during a quad meet last week with Holy Cross, St Bernard’s, and Jonathon Law. Newtown wrestlers were undefeated for the day after the three matches.

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The height of the sleigh rally season is here, and with the advent of more than adequate snow, drivers and aficionados are turning out in droves. The biggy this weekend, Sunday, February 8, starting at 11 am, will be the carefully planned Newtown Bridle Lanes Sleigh Rally, to be held at Dickinson Memorial Park, off Elm Drive, in Newtown. With the promise of attendance by the famous Kriz Brothers of Bethany, there will be a Draft Horse Class this year. It promises to be a fabulous affair.

February 9, 1962

A twin-engined Army Caribou plane was damaged Sunday on landing at the Robert Fulton Company airstrip in Huntingtown District, when the plane skidded on the surface thaw of the strip and struck some rocks and undergrowth at the side of the grass runway. Mr Fulton, who landed his personal plane shortly after the mishap, said he experienced a similar skidding, even though the strip appeared in perfect condition from the air. The Army plane was brought to Newtown in order that the Fulton Company could install equipment. While the plane remains on the Fulton Company airstrip, it is being guarded.

***

Announcement is made by Ralph Tullock and Carl and Edward Borodenko of Brookfield that the Newtown Tru Valu store in the Shopping Center on Queen Street is being sold by Mr Tullock to the Messrs Borodenko. The store will conform with the policies of the Brookfield Market which the Borodenko brothers operate in Brookfield. Edward Borodenko will be in charge of the Newtown store.

***

Joel Kunkel, Trumbull, was only slightly injured last Thursday night, when the car which he was driving rammed into a telephone post on Mt Pleasant, near the intersection of Reservoir Road and Route 6. The impact of the crash broke the telephone pole in two, and the car traveled down the hill about half a mile, and tore down six fence posts. Electric wires were torn down, service was disrupted for a short while, and Mr Kunkel was arrested.

***

Newtown’s annual report for the year 1961 is out this week with a report of a surplus that will enable the Board of Finance to maintain the previous year’s tax rate and notes, hopefully, “It may be that it should even be slightly lower.”

 

February 5, 1937

Local firemen were called t the residence of Grover Loveland on Wednesday afternoon to extinguish a chimney fire that had broken out. Fortunately, the firemen arrived in time and saved the house from serious damage.

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Because of a recent case of Malta fever in town, various rumors have been circulating about drinking milk. Dr W.F. Desmond, Health Officer, has investigated. He wishes to state that undulant fever is not a rare disease. Its cause is Bacillus Brucella, which causes Bang’s Diseases. Human beings can contract the disease by handling infected meat or materials, or by drinking milk from cows which have, or have had, Bang’s Disease. Last year, Dr Moore installed a pasteurization plant at Fairfield State Hospital, which with other advantages, prevents undulant fever. The health officer conferred with Mr Boyson, because a recent case of undulant fever was on his route, and he has arranged to pasteurize his milk.

***

An exciting trip was had by Hawley Warner, son of Mr and Mrs Hobart Warner of Sandy Hook, on his return trip from St Petersburg, Fla., last week. Mr Warner was a passenger on the boat, “Shawnee,” which caught fire enroute north. Appeals for help had been sent out by the boat, and local people who heard of this appeal through news flashes were greatly concerned for Mr Warner’s safety, until late reports assured them that the ship would be able to proceed to New York.

***

The Ground Hog was out to see his shadow in Sandy Hook on Tuesday, alright, but “Doc” Corrigan’s faithful dog spied the old fellow and brought him home before he had a chance to even glimpse his shadow. Not bad for a bird dog. And now spring will soon be here — we hope.

 

February 9, 1912

Corbett & Crowe have house about 40 tons of ice, cutting the supply on the Pootatuck brook in the rear of Charles Hawley’s barn. E.T. Hook plowed it out and Josiah Tilson carted it to the basement of the old Judson store building, which stands in the rear of the present store of Corbett & Crowe.

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Miss Rebecca Steele, the young daughter of Rev and Mrs Alexander Steele, was the victim of a painful accident, Tuesday, while sliding down hill on the lot near the Middle school. In passing under the fence, she came in contact with the barbed wire, inflicting a bad cut on her nose, and sustaining more or less scratches.

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James Lee is making a stack of ice 40 feet by 25 near his creamery at Hawleyville. He already has a stack six feet high and expects to put in another half day enlarging it. What is required by the New York board of health in care and cooling of milk has forced the farmers to enlarge their supplies of ice, which is considerable expense.

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H.N. Tiemann, Sr, will install an Atlantic Blau Gas plant in his residence for lighting purposes, through the representative of the company, A.E. Brinton.