(issue date missing) 1981

The State Department of Transportation has targeted Newtown's towering white flagpole in the middle of Main Street as a traffic hazard. One of the DOT's suggestions had included the unthinkable for many residents — moving the 110-foot-tall landmark from its current position. If State Representative Mae Schmidle has her way, though, moving the flagpole will be forbidden, by virtue of a special act she has submitted to the General Assembly.

***

An increase of over 300 percent is being sought by the Cyrenius H. Booth Library Board of Trustees in asking that the town increase its support to the library budget from $13,725 to $60,000 in the 1981-82 fiscal year, but the trustees have told the selectmen Newtown "has become an underprivileged town, insofar as library facilities are concerned."

***

One thousand dollars — money that will go directly to victims of the massive earthquake last November 23 that devastated portions of southern Italy's countryside — was presented by the Newtown-based Italian Heritage Club of America to the UNICO organization at a dinner January 28 at the Botsford Firehouse.

***

A new zone proposed to allow mixed business and residential uses to be made of buildings has been proposed by Atty Sutherland W.G. Denlinger, who told the Planning and Zoning Commission at a public hearing on February 6 such a change would help in the revitalization of old buildings in Sandy Hook Center. Last Friday, though, commissioners expressed misgivings about permitting a mixed-use zone which could be allowed for any property in town, rather than being restricted to Sandy Hook Center.

***

Summer revelers may encounter some drinking restrictions at the town parks if the Legislative Council passes an ordinance requested by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Parks and Rec decided to request the ordinance "to prevent damage to public and private property, proliferation of litter and socially unacceptable behavior," which the commission feels is caused by uncontrolled consumption of alcohol in the parks.

***

Political and business leaders and mourners from every walk of life paid tribute to former governor Ella T. Grasso in an unprecedented state funeral after she succumbed to cancer on February 5. Tributes continue and, here in Newtown, a special service of remembrance and thanksgiving is planned at Trinity Church at the flagpole.

***

After losing to arch-rival Masuk last week, Newtown boys' basketball bounced back to batter two of the western Connecticut Conference's lesser teams, raising its record to 12-2 in the league and 13-2 overall. The two wins clinched a spot for Newtown in the upcoming WCC playoffs.

February 17, 1956

Steady progress in the development of the A. Fenn Dickinson Memorial Park was reported at the regular monthly meeting of the Newtown Park Commission held last Friday, February 10 in the Selectmen's office. If there are any organizations or persons who would like to take part in this community project, the Commission would be glad to hear from you. The swimming pond will be started this month by E. Paul Kovacs with the assistance of J. Nubie of the United States Soil Conservation Service.

***

PTA members found out what it's like to be a teacher on Wednesday and Thursday, February 8 and 9, as homeroom mothers and fathers relieved the Hawley School faculty for one hour each day. The mass substitution was made to allow the teachers to attend reading demonstrations for the primary and intermediate grades.

***

With reluctance, The Bee finds it necessary to join the trend being followed by most other publishers and nearly all other businesses. Because of steadily advancing costs of publication, including a $4.00 per ton increase in the price of Newsprint last November, the subscription price for The Bee will be advanced to $4.00 per year on March 1st. The advance of $1.00 over the present $3.00 rate, which has been in effect since January 1, 1951, amounts to 2 cents per week.

***

New Pond Takes Shape At SAC Park In Sandy Hook: The new pond, measuring approximately 200 x 75 feet, will add to the recreational facilities of the SAC Park.

***

John C. Schread, associate entomologist of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, supplied the answers to many questions on insect pest control at the regular monthly meeting of the Garden Club of Newtown held last Friday, February 10, in the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. Malathion is a good, all-purpose pest control, according to Mr Schread, and is less toxic than any other insecticide. It has fumigating action at temperatures over 75 degrees which makes it somewhat more effective than DDT.

***

The presence of a number of State Police at last Friday night's basketball game between Newtown High School and Washington High School at the Queen Street court caused a spate of rumors around town about a teenage hassle which did not take place. The police were just standing by at the request of town officials to discourage intertown competition other than that on the basketball court.

***

Mr and Mrs Maurice Nezvesky attended a closed circuit TV show at the Hotel Statler in Hartford recently. A movie was shown on the importance of electrical appliances and the need for better wiring to accommodate those improvements.

February 13, 1931

Newtown Bills In The Legislature: S. B. No. 373, by Senator Senior, "An Act Amending the Charter of the Borough of Newtown," providing that the warden and board of burgesses of Newtown shall appoint a zoning commission and provide such rules and regulations as in their judgment may be necessary.

***

One of the most daring love stories ever screened provides the romantic background for the thrilling air scenes in "Hell's Angels," Howard Hughes' super-spectacle of war time aviation will be seen at the Edmond Town hall, Wednesday, February 18.

***

When people awoke, Tuesday morning, they looked out on a scene of loveliness seldom witnessed. The great elms and maples, every bush and limb and wire were completely covered over with a snowy mantle of whiteness. It almost repaid one for the inconvenience caused by the loss of the electricity for four or five hours the night before.

***

W.C. Johnson, the efficient foreman on the local state road, had two trucks out all night, Saturday, scraping the snow off from the roads. The public certainly appreciates the good work of the highway department in keeping the roads always open for travel.

***

$6,000: Wanted at once, to buy a house, with a few acres of land around it. Price not over $6,000. To be located in Newtown. John J. Northrop, Newtown, Ct. Telephone 138.

***

Hurray! And here we go! Don't miss seeing the opening night of Corporal Eagen to-night, at the Edmond Town hall at 8:15. This promises to be the knock-out of the season with all of the local people starring in their individual character parts.

February 15, 1906

A local astronomer who wished to see the eclipse set his alarm clock to awaken himself and his son. It was a beautiful clear night, but the eclipse did not take place. After waiting an hour or more in the cold they went in and examined their calendar. They were only one day ahead of time.

***

On Saturday, February 10, the lower room in the Congregational church was a busy and festive scene. The room was prettily decorated with red and white crepe paper streamers, and over the valentine table were strings of hearts in red and white. The valentines, the ice cream and candy tables were patronized and to such an extent that at 7 o'clock everything was disposed of. The sale amounted to $50.

***

J. Conley Field of Stepney, with his steam engine and saw outfit, has been sawing up the wood pile at the Grand Central hotel, this week. Birdsey Peck of Hattertown, with his engine and saw outfit, has been cutting up Walter Ruffells' large wood pile into stove length, this week.

***

Mrs John De Long of Obtuse, while in Hawleyville, last week Thursday afternoon, was thrown from her wagon, quite badly bruising her. She fortunately escaped without any broken bones. Dr Schuyler attended her.

***

Botsford Brothers have put in the shelves for the Sandy Hook Library, and George F. Taylor and Rev O.O. Wright have been applying the varnish. It will make a very pleasant room for the library, and there is naturally a great deal of interest in it.