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Town Clerk Betty Smith and Carol Mattegat are feeling like Mother Hubbard nowadays. They’re making great efforts to assure that the town cupboard — the Community Food Pantry — doesn’t go bare. Mrs Mattegat recently presented Mrs Smith with a check for $100 on behalf of the Newtown Woman’s Club to buy food to stock the shelves in the food pantry. “Requests for help with food and fuel have doubled since last year,” Mrs Smith said.

* * *

Area cable television subscribers will notice an increase in interference on satellite-delivered channels in the first week of March, New Milford-based Housatonic Cable Vision Company has advised. During the first week in March, satellite earth stations throughout the country will experience “sun outages.” This is a loss of signal due to interference from the sun. The outages will occur for a ten-minute period within the hours of 3:55 and 4:25 pm.

* * *

The Blizzard of ’83 on February 11-12 sent preparations for the Newtown Sleigh Rally into high gear. Last held in 1978, the popular event has been canceled every year since due to bad snow conditions. As the weather warmed up last week, it seemed to many that the Rally would never be held. But the mercury fell into the low 20s last Saturday night, and Sunday morning there was a half-foot of refrozen, densely packed snow covering the former Italian Community Center fields on Route 34.

* * *

Despite applicant’s statements that residents of the Elm Drive area found “no problem” with plans to locate a delicatessen at the intersection of that road and Route 25, there was opposition from the residents at a Planning & Zoning hearing February 17. John and Joyce Paloian, who operate John’s Quality Meat & Deli in Ricky’s Shopping Center, submitted a change of zone request for a .84-acre tract located within the triangle formed by the two branches of Elm Drive. Edward Orbin lives 300 feet from the property in question and said the site was “ill-suited for a business.”

* * *

The Danbury Unit of the American Cancer Society has selected March 24, 25, and 26 as its “Daffodil Days.” A force of volunteers will bring this first spring flower, the flower of hope, to residents of Newtown as a major fund-raising effort that signifies the start of the local Crusade Against Cancer. Initial reports indicate two hundred thousand daffodils will make up the “Flower Power” force.

 

February 28, 1958

The Housatonic Public Service Company has received a license from the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission for the erection of a new substation on the east side of Route 25 on land recently purchased from Euclid R. Couture. Richard F. Gretsch, executive vice president for the company, stressed the need for the substation for the improvement of the present electrical system and for the expansion for future growth of the town.

The US Civil Service Commission announces and examination for a male substitute clerk and substitute city carrier for duty at the Newtown Post Office. The rate of pay is $1.82 an hour for substitutes. Increases are given according to length of service.

* * *

It is of interest to note that H.C. Honegger of Walnut Tree Hill, Sandy Hook, and Forest Hills, Long Island, was one of the leaders of national organizations invited by President Eisenhower to attend the national conference on “The Foreign Aspects of US National Security.” Mr Honegger represented the Pestalozzi Foundation of America.

* * *

The first annual pancake supper served by the Afternoon Guild of St John’s Episcopal Church, Sandy Hook, Tuesday night, was reported most successful by Mrs W.G. Roda, chairman, with over 150 persons having been served. The supper, scheduled originally for Shrove Tuesday, February 18, was postponed to this week because of the snowstorm.

* * *

According to Miss Martha Kline, school nurse, third and final Salk vaccine polio shots will be offered to members of the senior class of 1957 on Friday, February 28, at 9 am in the high school. These shots are restricted, Miss Kline said, to those who had the first two shots in May of 1957.

* * *

Don’t run — just reach! Treat yourself to a bedroom phone! No more frantic dashes! No more missed calls! You can enjoy all the convenience and privacy of an additional phone for only a few cents a day. And take your pick of eight handsome colors. Remember: An up-to-date home has enough phones. They belong wherever your family needs them. THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE COMPANY

 

February 24, 1933

The long expected battle on the minor court judgeships broke in the General Assembly, Wednesday, the debate, with Democrats heated over the loss of three of their number in the Senate, featuring partisan bitterness and personal attacks unequaled in the memory of veteran observers. Included in the list of judges appointed by Senate Joint Resolution No 58 were Edward R. Hampton, judge of the town court of Newtown and by Senate Joint Resolution No 164, appointing Edward S. Pitzschler deputy judge of the town court of Newtown.

* * *

The February meeting of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Thursday night of this week at 8 o’clock at the Parker house. The speaker of the evening will be Hon C.E. Smith, a vice-president of the New York & New Haven railroad. This will be the first time a high official for the New Haven railroad has ever spoken in Newtown.

* * *

A program of unusual interest will be presented, following the regular Grange meeting, February 28 in the Alexandria room. Several of the local Boy Scouts will entertain with stunts and other work, under the direction of Scoutmaster Rev Paul A. Cullens. Let us have a large gathering of our members, not only to enjoy the program, but our new Grange home in the Alexandria room.

* * *

Stephen Fee of Gray’s Plain district, butchered a hog, last week, that weighed over 600 lbs. 25 gallons of lard being made from the fat.

* * *

Forty-eight persons attended a dinner at the Village Barn Club in Hawleyville, Friday evening, following the Senior Prom at the Danbury high school. Music was furnished by the Five Black Crows’ orchestra and entertainment was provided. The Village Barn has been enjoying an increasing patronage.

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INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN STARS IN NEWTOWN BENEFIT — Maureen and “Sonny” Rio To Appear In “A Certain Mr Wink,” AT THE EDMOND TOWN HALL, THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING. Mr and Miss Rio have just returned from a tour which took in a good part of the world, and were resting at their home on Long Island when Mrs Lackaye asked them if they would come to Newtown and help in the benefit performance for the Young People’s Club. This morning a wire came from these young artists, stating that they were leaving New York, Tuesday morning, and would arrive in Newtown for the dress rehearsal and appear in the play, Thursday. We are sorry to interrupted the rest of these young people, but we will welcome the Rio team to Newtown.

 

February 28, 1908

Attorney Charles H. Northrop, charged with embezzlement will not be tried at the February term of the criminal superior court, but it is understood that the case will be disposed of at the May term, and that Mr Northrop, by counsel, will contest the charge. It is understood it will be claimed that if there was a shortage in his accounts it was not in any way due to the criminal intent of the ex-town treasurer.

* * *

Henry G. Curtis was in Bridgeport Tuesday. The box shop of S. Curtis & Son is now running three days a week, owing to the lack of orders. The firm have enjoyed a fine business, despite the depression, up to two weeks ago.

* * *

R.H. Beers & Co are showing as nice a line of salt and canned fish for the Lenten season as has ever been exhibited in the town, including fancy bloaters, 2-pound mackerel, Peerless brand of lobster, fancy French sardines, canned clams, Columbia and Clover Leaf salmon, Red Cross brand of halibut. Extra nice salmon 12 cents per box.

* * *

While working in H.H. Peck’s woods, last week, Archibald McArthur was the victim of a serious accident. While handling a log in some way he lost his balance and fell over backward, striking his head. At first he seemed paralyzed, but gradually regained the use of his hands and arms. He will be laid up for some time.

* * *

Miss Mary Keating, at the home of Mrs Grace Glover, is in the poultry business. Now she is wide awake and now boasts a flock of 19 young chickens. No incubator for her. She says that Dame Nature and Mother Hen are the best plan for her.