March 3, 2000

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Carol Mahoney.

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Newtown High School girls’ basketball captured the South West Conference championship last Friday. The Nighthawks defeated New Fairfield, 46-45, for the title in a game played at Pomperaug High School in Southbury. It was Newtown’s first modern-day girls’ basketball championship.

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The hearing officer who presided at Police Chief James E. Lysaght, Jr’s job termination hearing has found there is “just cause” to fire Chief Lysaght. The hearing officer, independent mediator and arbitrator Albert G. Murphy, however, recommend that the Police Commission and Chief Lysaght make an effort to reconcile their differences, with the goal of reinstating the chief to his post, possibly on a probationary basis. Such a reconciliation would allow the chief to avoid a painful and disruptive career change, and spare the Police Commission the expense and uncertainty of finding a new police chief, Mr Murphy writes in his arbitration report on the chief’s December termination hearing.

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A development firm is proposing construction of a 110-unit townhouse condominium complex for people over 55 on a 36-acre site extending from Mt Pleasant Road to Taunton Pond. Ginsburg Development Connecticut, LLC, is formulating plans for an “active adult community” with townhouses and amenities, including walking trails and a recreation center, on the hilly site. The site, comprised of several parcels, has frontage on the south side of Mt Pleasant Road, just west of the Taunton Lake Drive neighborhood. The property extends down a hillside to Taunton Pond where it has about 425 feet of pond frontage.

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Three years ago the Town spent $400,000 to purchase a stretch of land along Elm Drive. The “Amaral property” was eventually turned over to Parks & Recreation to be used for future ball fields. Now, the town is being asked to pay an additional $550,000 for the development of two smaller sized baseball diamonds on the land. With land costs figured in, the cost of about $500,000 per field has Legislative Council members wondering if this is something much more than Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams.

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Cub Scouts from Middle Gate School visited the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic for an overnight outing in January. While the weather was cold and the footing a bit icy, the scouts hiked many trails as part of the center’s instructional program. The scouts learned about endangered species and had the opportunity to study and see nocturnal birds close up.

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The historic, 130-year-old Trinity Episcopal Church on Main Street will undergo its fourth major restoration and renovation since it was constructed in 1870 beginning early in June and reaching completion in early September. It has been 40 years since the last major restoration. The project has been in the planning stages for three years. The goal of the capital campaign, “With Faith in Our Future,” which began on January 30, is to complete church restoration work and to expand and renovate church buildings to be more accessible, welcoming, and supporting of church and community programs held there.

February 28, 1975

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — OUR MISSING BEE: Since last Saturday morning, the day we discovered the large bee weathervane missing from the top of our office building, many people have asked us our first reaction. The feeling we experienced upon seeing it missing is virtually impossible to describe. We guess it to be akin to the pain one feels in finding his home robbed, or a pet dog not at the end of his rope. In a word, we were sunk. Between then and now, not much has happened to lead to the recovery of the weathervane. A few clues are being followed, a couple of phone calls have been received, and many eyes are looking out for it. It has been less than a year since the weathervane, made from a sample of the paper’s logo, was designed by John Hallock of Bethlehem and installed on the roof. The value of this piece does not lie in its place in the world of antiques, for it is not old. Nor in the raw materials from which it was constructed … Its value comes only from the many long and careful hours which went into its planning and building, and the super design which finally took up its perch on our rooftop. … We can really do nothing more than wait in hope that it will return some night to the spot it left. It holds no value to anyone but us, and we totally enjoyed watching it move with the wind. In the meanwhile, The Bee expresses its warmest thanks to everyone who has lent a helping hand, and for the expressions of concern which we have received from numerous people. The news media — radio, television, and many of our fellow newspapers — have all pitched in and given us far and wide coverage in spreading the word. It is greatly appreciated, and we thank you all. As the man from Channel Eight said as he was leaving the office on Tuesday, “Let us know when you get it back. A happy ending is always the best one.” We think so too, and are looking forward to it.

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The Town of Newtown is now awaiting word from the Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) unit of the State Department of Labor to find out how much it will have to pay in fines because of violations uncovered at the town garage on Church Hill Road. Two OSHA compliance officers, Lou Pellegrini and Emil Caruso, toured the facility Wednesday morning, answering a complaint filed by two Highway Department employees. Though the officials refused to comment on the results of the investigation, saying they had a lot of “raw data,” they indicated a written report would be forthcoming from their departmental director in about a week.

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For every action there is a reaction, and 83 residents, primarily of Sandy Hook, reacted this week to the petition calling for suspension of zoning for the Town-owned Stefanko property in that part of Newtown. That number of persons signed their names to petitions which were presented this week to the First Selectman, stating they “strongly oppose the use of the Stefanko property on Philo Curtis Road, for a town garage and maintenance facility.”

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The Botsford branch of the Connecticut National Bank this week donated $175 to The Newtown Association for Retarded Children. Elisa Muliero and her mother, Mrs Loretta Muliero, president of NARC, accepted the checks on behalf of NARC from David R. Parado, branch manager. One of the projects the money might be used for is the upcoming hike-bike planned for April.

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ZIP Code has come a long way since its adoption more than a decade ago, Postmaster Albert H. Nichols said recently, reporting that ZIP Code was used on more than 83 billion pieces of mail in fiscal 1974. Mr Nichols said the ZIP Code was carried on more than 91 per cent of the total national mail volume of 90.5 billion moved during the year. ZIP Code was launched by the postal system in July, 1963. On first-class mail, where its use is voluntary, 45 billion letters carried the ZIP Code — 90 per cent of total first-class mail volume, Mr Nichols said. Last year 5 billion first-class letters weren’t ZIPped, Mr Nichols said, and failure to code these letters is estimated to have delayed delivery by one day for at least 50 per cent of them.

February 24, 1950

William K. Daniells, Newtown member and former chairman of the Regional Board of Education, states in an interview with The Bee that Newtown taxpayers are being duped. A nineteen room local high school plus gymnasium, 2 shops, library, auditorium and cafeteria for a total cost of $750,000 is fishy, he says. The recently completed addition to our Hawley School cost over $300,000 and this covered only ten elementary class rooms, without costs for land, site development, architect fees or the expensive equipment required for a high school.

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In the match game at the Edmond Town Hall bowling alleys last Sunday afternoon between the Post Office team and Newtown Cleaners, the Post Office five emerged victorious by cleaning the Cleaners two out of three games. A good crowd (free admission) was on hand to see the match, and all seats were full. The games were enjoyed by all, with fun galore and plenty of ribbing. Bart Carmody with a 133 high string and teammate Al Nichols with a high of 127 were high scorers for the Post Office team, while Hermie Parker with 108 and Elzie Hunnicut with 109 had high singles for the Cleaners.

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Dr Russell P. Hunter, superintendent of the State Board of Fisheries and Game, was the principal speaker at a meeting of the Fairfield County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs held in the Congregational Church House Monday evening. The Newtown Fish and Game Club was host for the session and Warren McCarty, president of the local club, welcomed the visitors. Lawrence Behn, president of the County League, presided at the business meeting. Dr Hunter together with a fish technician of the board, outlined plans for stocking brooks, streams and ponds in this area during the present year. Dr Hunter answered many questions posed by the members during the evening. Two motion pictures on fishing in Canada were shown following the business meeting and refreshments were served.

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A turkey supper served by the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Charles Howard Peck Post 308 VFW on Thursday of last week brought out some 200 guests to the social rooms of St John’s Church, Sandy Hook. Mrs Harold E. Morgan, Sr, chairman for the affair, reports over $100 realized for the organization and she expressed the thanks of the members to all who came and made the affair a success.

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Miss Dorothy Repko of the Hawley faculty brought her sixth grade pupils to The Bee last Thursday afternoon where the class gained firsthand information on how a weekly newspaper is put together. It was at a time when the press was running so that pupils could see the actual operation. Staff members explained the many processes required to transform an incoming news item to lines of type on the printed page, and answered questions from class members.

February 20, 1925

Mr and Mrs Charles G. Meeker announce the marriage engagement of their daughter, Dorothy Dalrymple, to Randolph Bennett Williams, son of Mr and Mrs Charles S. Williams. Mr Williams is a graduate of the Newtown High school and of Syracuse University.

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The transfer by Bishop Nilan, of Rev William H. Kennedy, pastor of St Mary’s church in South Coventry since May, 1922, to take the pastorate of St Rose’s church in Newtown was made known Wednesday. Father Kennedy will bid farewell to his South Coventry parishioners next Sunday … and will leave for his new field about the middle of next week.

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Newtown loses another of its elderly citizens in the death on Sunday, about midnight, of Lauren R. Skidmore, of the Bethel road, Borough. Mr Skidmore was a citizen of substantial type, quiet and unaffected, and who moved in and out among his neighbors with a spirit of friendliness and good will. He was a son of Daniel Skidmore and Sara Ann Dibble Skidmore and was born in Lake George, in “The Neck,” so called. A sister, Sarah Ann Skidmore, died some years ago. Mr Skidmore married Ella L. Northrop, who died a few months ago. His age was 70 years. Mr Skidmore was formerly an active member of Pootatuck Grange.

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Edith Northrop Shoemaker, a niece of the late Mrs Lauren Skidmore, died on Sunday night at the Connecticut State Hospital at Middletown, aged 32 years. She had been in ill health for a number of years. Mrs Shoemaker was a daughter of Mr and Mrs Oliver Northrop of Palestine. Her mother survives her.

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Impressive funeral services for Lauren Skidmore and his niece, Mrs Edith Shoemaker, were held on Wednesday afternoon from Mr Skidmore’s late home, Rev Dr Richmond H. Gesner officiating. The pallbearers were Clark Walker, Stanley Northrop of Easton, Elliott Northrop of Bridgeport, and Charles Bond of Stepney. The burial was in the Newtown cemetery.

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A gathering numbering 47 was in attendance at the Farm Bureau meeting held at the Dodgingtown Firehouse, the 16th, at which time J.S. Owens, soils and crop specialist, from Storrs, spoke on clover, alfalfa and corn. It is without a question of doubt that these crops have a place on nearly every farm and more so on dairy farms. … Toward the close of the meeting prices were read on various seeds, also lime. As lime is such an important factor in governing a successful stand of either clover or alfalfa, would it not be a good practice to purchase a needed amount? It has been suggested that a car load be purchased and shipped to Bethel. There is already a willingness on the part of a few to buy about a dozen tons.

March 2, 1900

During the month of June, 1900, the farmers of this state will be visited by the census enumerators. The schedule of questions which the enumerator is obliged to ask is extensive and full of detail and in most cases the interrogatory will prove tedious unless the questions be known and answers be prepared to some extent in advance. The following explanation is therefore promulgated by Census Supervisor Eddy to forestall and obviate the difficulties that may arise between the questioner and the questioned, and it is earnestly hoped that every farm owner and manager who chances upon the article will read it carefully and make some preparation to facilitate the work of the bureau.

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HAWLEYVILLE: The auction at Frank Feverau’s, last Thursday, was largely attended, but for some reason only a small part of the goods advertised were sold. Mr Fevereau, who has lived on the Summers farm for six years, is to move to the Banks place in Rock House district, Easton. | The Endeavor society held a social at E.B. Booth’s, last Thursday evening. The bad weather prevented many from attending, but the score or more present had a very enjoyable time. | H. Burton Sherman of Walker’s Farms is ill with pneumonia at the home of his sister, Mrs M.E. Stillson, in this place. He is under the medical care of Dr E.M. Smith.

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The three children of Mr and Mrs W.A. Canfield have been quite ill with the grip but are now somewhat better.

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Mrs H.H. Curtis has been suffering with an attack of the grip but has recovered sufficiently to be about.

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Miss Nellie Linsley of New Haven passed Washington’s birthday with relatives in town.

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The Whist club of Hawleyville gave a social dance to their friends on Monday evening, February 26, at Baker’s furniture warerooms. About 50 couples were present. They enjoyed dancing until the wee sma’ hours. It was a model place to host the dance and Mine Host Baker knew how to dispense the chairs where they would be filled when dancing was not in order. Refreshments of sandwiches, cake and coffee were served and it was 3 o’clock when the company broke up, though it did not seem half so late. All agreed in pronouncing it a most enjoyable evening. Friends from Brookfield, Newtown and other adjoining towns were present.

Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.