February 22, 1991

For planners, hikers, and nature lovers, open space is synonymous with preservation of beautiful landscapes. Though a seemingly static enterprise, some initiatives are being taken now to make Newtown's bounty last. To date, open space acreage here is a blend of rolling woodlands, swamplands, grassy knolls, and farmland where today's harried passersby can slow down and glimpse cattails, cornstalks, and deer. Use of open space ranges between active or passive recreation, as preservation of wetlands and other environmentally sensitive parcels, for hiking and horseback-riding trails, or simply as clearings and buffers against development.

***

The question: Who is Julie Knauer? Julie, a senior at Newtown High School, has been appearing on the nationally televised Jeopardy! Teen Tournament and moved into a finalist position on February 19. After making a slow start on Tuesday (she ended the first portion with only 1400 points and will probably never forget the connection between Huskies and dog sledding), but gained after pulling both daily double questions and answering one correctly.

***

Although the use of seatbelts is the law in Connecticut, there are still those who are either unaware of that law or blatantly ignore it. The state's safety belt law has been in effect since January 1, 1986. According to the most recent publication of Traffic Accident Facts by the state Department of Transportation, "Unbelted occupants are over twice as likely to be injured, and over 18 times as likely to be killed." Furthermore, the report states that "more children die from car accidents than from polio, measles, rubella, mumps, chicken pox, whooping cough and diphtheria combined."

***

Newtown residents lined up in cars at the High school last Sunday, February 17, and embarked on a motorcade in support of the American troops in the Persian Gulf. The Newtown contingent traveled to Danbury where it took part in a still larger motorcade between Jordan Marsh and Rogers Park.

February 25, 1966

The Board of Selectmen, at its meeting last Thursday evening, completed appointments to the Charter Revision Commission, having tabled the matter at its last meeting because of a technical question as to whether Timothy Treadwell, appointed member of the Parks Commission, was eligible to serve on the Charter Revision Commission. First Selectman Carl Schutz announced that Mr Treadwell was not eligible under terms of the General Statutes, which provides that not more than one third of the commission members can hold other public office. With an 11-member commission and two Democratic members and one Republican member already holding office, another person holding office would not be permitted. Mr Treadwell was called to the meeting and submitted his resignation from the Park Commission, to take effect at once. The Selectmen accepted Mr Treadwell's resignation and then appointed the Charter Revision Commission.

***

Miss Ruth I. Tilson of Sandy Hook retires this week from the Fabric Fire Hose Company after 47 years of service. In appreciation of her fine record, she received a certificate from William Coe, vice president and general manager, and also many gifts during a luncheon held recently in her honor.

***

The many members of the Garden Club of Newtown who braved the elements to attend the February 16 meeting were rewarded with a special treat. Mrs Henry Taylor, better known as "Hatsy" of East Canaan, gave a singing lecture. She is an enthusiastic wildflower gardener on their 250 acre farm on the side of a mountain in East Canaan. Mrs Taylor's very informative talk was interspersed with songs - some amusing, some happy, some philosophical, sung in a charming voice while strumming her guitar.

***

Rapid progress is being made in the building of the Newtown Bible Baptist Church on Sugar Street. The framework of the entire building is up. The roofing on the educational wing was complete this past Saturday. Saturdays have been busy days for the men of Bible Baptist as they have done much of the work thus far, along with some subcontractors. Hopes are that the church will be completed in late spring or early summer.

February 21, 1941

On Tuesday evening, at the Congregational Church, Rev Rudolf Hertz, superintendent of the 26 Congregational churches on the Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, will tell of his work among the Indians and what the Missions Council of the Congregational church has accomplished in the Indian field and what its plans are for the future. The Sioux, the second largest tribe of Indians in the United States, have today accepted Christianity, although for over 100 years they bitterly opposed the encroachment of white people on their lands. Aside from the year spent in New York and Europe and a pastorate at Gregory, South Dakota, Mr and Mrs Hertz have spent their lives in the service of the Sioux people. The older Sioux Indians call Rev Hertz "the Jesus Man," while the young Indians refer to him as "Our Sacred Missionary."

***

Skating facilities at the A.C. Rink have been at a standstill for the past several days, due in part to the heavy rainstorms and warm temperatures. With the continuance of the present cold snap, however, the "faithful few" are expected to be back at their job of spraying and hope that a smooth surface of ice will be available for weekend skaters.

***

Mrs Ralph Werden earned the doubtful distinction on Tuesday of being the first person in Newtown to see at close range a good-sized bear which was roaming about the house and grounds at Minkdale Farms. In her curiosity to get a good look at the visitor, Mrs Werden slipped and broke her wrist, but still she has been interested enough examine the many tracks made by the animal which indicate that it was probably a good sized black bear. Maybe he will be back for a closer identification, and maybe not - Mrs Werden is wondering.

***

The ice jam above the Housatonic bridge in Sandy Hook has drawn hundreds of motorists to the vicinity of the Mitchell home on the east side of the river. The jam started two weeks ago Thursday, during the heavy rains, and hundreds of cakes of ice, ranging from small to larger ones weighing tons, were thrown on the river bank and into the roadway. The river itself has not broken up near the Mitchell residence, but the freshet coming down broke up the river near Southville and carried the huge cakes of ice down the river. At some points the river rose over five feet and it was necessary to clear the roadway of ice at several points, so that traffic could get through.

February 25, 1916

Charles G. Peck, the popular Borough warden, now in Florida, sent by express to Robert H. Beers, a local merchant, an alligator measuring about a foot in length. Mr Beers has had the alligator on exhibition at his store and it has attracted a lot of attention.

***

The Upham Food Products company have about finished renovating and altering their branch factory here and are anxiously waiting the arrival of the machinery necessary to the establishment. When this reaches here, as it should any day now, they will be ready to engage help, and will make a busy little corner in the history of this place.

***

George R. Wilson, while driving home, Monday night, had his team go off the embankment near the Edwards place in Taunton district. One horse was injured so badly it had to be killed, while Mr Wilson had one rib broken and was otherwise bruised. Dr F.J. Gale attended him.

***

A party of Sandy Hook ladies chartered Arthur Page's big team of gray horses, and enjoyed a sleigh ride to Danbury on Monday afternoon, with dinner at the Hotel Green. By the time they started home the thermometer stood at 10 degrees below zero, but they were well wrapped up and did not mind the cold a bit.