February 17, 1984

Steven Kellogg was guest of honor at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library on Sunday, February 12, when the library celebrated the opening of the new children’s room on the second floor. The author-illustrator lives in Newtown and often presents exciting, animated programs for the town’s school children.

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James Murphy resigned from his post as Newtown’s highway department superintendent nine days before his scheduled appearance in Danbury Superior Court to answer kickback and bribery charges. Mr Murphy, who pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Danbury Superior Court on November 1, was placed on a leave of absence from his post by Mr Rosenthal on the day of his arrest.

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The Newtown Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors voted February 14 to support the National Semiconductor Corporation’s bid to build a $50 to $75 million wafer-fabrication plant on a 95-acre parcel of land on Barnabas Road, provided the California corporation meets all town requirements. Chamber members noted that the National Semiconductor would conduct a “clean” business which would add to the town’s tax base without requiring additional services.

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As the girls who live or work in the Newtown area prepare for this year’s Miss Newtown pageant, last year’s title holder, Sandra Niedzielski, is anxiously awaiting her chance to relinquish the crown. “I’m not sorry that it’s coming to an end,” said the 18-year-old 1983 Newtown High School graduate. “I’m anxious to give it up to another girl who will get a whole lot out of it. It’s not a beauty contest,” stressed Sandra. “Talent counts fifty percent.”

 

February 20, 1959

One man was slain and another died, apparently a suicide, in a tragic shooting on Peck’s Lane, South Center District, Wednesday. Elwood Rudolph Kasperait, a driver for Parker Diary of Nichols, was discovered unconscious after he had been shot with a 12-gauge shotgun in front of the Paul E. Smith [not the then-editor/publisher of The Newtown Bee, Paul S. Smith] home. Mr Kasperait died en route to the Danbury Hospital. Mr Smith was later found dead inside the house.

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Nearly 75 persons attended an informal hearing held Friday evening by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission, the last of a series of three such hearings to discuss area requirements for dwellings. Each hearing has concerned itself with a portion of the town. A petition was present by Bruce M. Leach at the Friday discussion of the southeastern portion of town with the names of those who favor a one-acre minimum size. James Osborne presented a second petition of those who favor a minimum area of two or more acres.

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First Selectman Edward J. Coleman was the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the League of Women Voters of Newtown. The League members also heard a short address by Miss Zarin Patell, a foreign exchange student from Pakistan. Miss Patell cited some of the differences between life in her native land and in the US.

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Miss Ann Coleman was chosen “Queen of Hearts” and Ronnie Greenman “Jack of Hearts” at the Valentine dance held by the Teen Canteen last Saturday evening in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall. Music for dancing was furnished by the Hi-Fi’s of Danbury.

February 16, 1934

The Boy Scout Campaign for funds which has been holding the interest of the citizens of the town for the past two weeks came to a happy conclusion last evening. The final dinner at 6:30 in the Alexandria room of the Edmond Town Hall was followed by the reports of the various teams and resulted in a grand total of $490.00.

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A most remarkable and strange accident occurred on Monday, at 1:30 pm, on the Newtown-Danbury State road on Mt Pleasant when Irving Shaw was hurled through the roof of the cab and thrown nearly 40 feet over a stone wall into a snowdrift after his truck crashed into a State highway fence, plunged down a 20-foot embankment and plowed halfway through a wire fence. Mr Shaw, driver, escaped with a fractured leg and bruises. The truck, owned by the Newtown Coal and Grain Company, was loaded with coal, which was scattered over the roadway during the crash.

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Dr Waldo F. Desmond has returned to Newtown and will resume his practice Friday, February 16. The doctor had planned to return to work much earlier but was prevented from doing so by illness, which was an aftermath of a streptococcus throat infection which he had during the week of the wedding. About ten days after the wedding, Dr Desmond was afflicted with acute rheumatic fever, which required hospital treatment. Dr and Mrs Desmond returned to Sandy Hook, Wednesday evening, and will reside in their home in Newtown.

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In keeping with President Roosevelt’s request in his address to the Boy Scouts of America, last Saturday afternoon, over the radio, all people in Newtown and vicinity who have discarded clothing, of any kind, are requested to telephone Paul V. Cavanaugh, 88, and some member of the Scout Troop will call at their homes and collect the clothing. The need for clothing for the poor families is most urgent.

 

February 19, 1909

The trees on Mt Pleasant were all weighted down, Wednesday, in a mantle of ice which looked very beautiful as the sunlight fell upon them. The damage to the shade trees in many places was very serious. D.C. Peck tells us that many of the icicles were the size of a broom handle.

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The social event of the winter was the Library dance given, last week Friday evening, at the Town hall. The attendance was large, many being present from out of town. The dancing was lively and all enjoyed the occasion heartily. As the result of the dance the library treasury will profit to the extent of $43.25.

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H.M. Greenman’s new brooder house at Cold Spring Farm had a narrow escape from being burned to the ground, last Sunday. A defective flue in one of the brooders set the brooder on fire which was nearly destroyed and the building itself was on fire when Mr Greenman discovered it. By quick work with a few pails of water the fire was put out.

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The Fabric Fire Hose Co. are installing a new cycle weaving machine at their Sandy Hook factory. It is designed to weave a more powerful fabric. Martin Rhomoser of New York is superintending the work.