March 8, 1991

Glover Avenue remained closed to traffic for approximately four hours Sunday, March 3, after a large pine tree fell across the road and nearby electrical wires. CL&P crews were called in to clean up. Members of the highway department were called to the scene at 2 pm to remove the tree and make the road passable for traffic.

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With the first troops scheduled to return from the Persian Gulf this week, the homecoming celebrations are about to begin. Newtown has one planned for Sunday, March 17, and no doubt there will be a celebration somewhere in America every week until the last soldier is home. These homecomings will be very different from those experienced by veterans of the Vietnam War. At worst, Vietnam vets were spat upon and called baby burners. At best, vets received a warm welcome from family and friends.

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Don't build up Newtown's hopes for economic development and a broader tax base without being willing to supply affordable housing for the new labor that comes to town. That's the main message local developer Emery Lantos would like to impart to fellow Newtowners as the public hearing date approaches for his affordable housing project. Mr Lantos said his motives as the first developer to try to provide affordable housing here are simple. "It's essential to the state's economic revival to have a greater diversity in housing," he said. Mr Lantos' proposal has drawn the attention of some public officials and concerned residents for two reasons. Mr Lantos' attorney has indicated in the application a denial will be appealed to the state's new affordable housing appeals board. Secondly, Mr Lantos is proceeding with his plans ahead of the Local Housing Partnership's efforts to identify affordable housing needs here.

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The computer room at Middle School is abuzz with a new project and eighth grade students are taking an inordinate interest in the mail. They are involved in an AT&T sponsored program that will link their computers with computers of students in eight other locations. Team members are selected so that students will have a wide geographic and culturally diverse experience.

March 11, 1966

Through the joint efforts of the Conservation Commission and the Forest Association, the "Newtown Open Space Fund" has been created. Now for the first time, there exists in Newtown a fund into which donations may be made by persons who wish to help the town toward open space purchases. The resolution stipulates that this fund is made available to the town, upon request of the Conservation Commission, when the town meeting should vote to make an open space purchase. The Conservation Commission expects actively to solicit interested persons for contributions to this fund.

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Dr Thomas F. Draper, Newtown director of health, has announced that Thursday, March 17, will mark the start in Newtown of an all-out program to help eradicate tuberculosis in this area. As part of a larger program, the mobile X-ray unit of the TB & Health Association of Southern Fairfield County will spend the earlier part of that day X-raying senior high school students, and all personnel at Newtown's five schools. Chest X-rays are instrumental not only in detecting TB, but also emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart abnormalities, lung tumors and other chest ailments.

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About six or seven years ago, a gift was made to the Boy Scouts of Newtown of a powerful telescope and also of a cabin for the boys to use which the donor would build on property they designated. Richard Gretsch agreed that the cabin might be built on his property on Castle Hill, and so it was done. One day the boys arrived to find the place had been entered, windows had been broken, and other damage done. They made repairs. Just before the winter campout, Scoutmaster Charles Dirienzo went to the cabin and found a stove was overturned, pipes pulled, even holes smashed in the building sides. Added to this loss was the theft during this winter of the telescope from the small observatory on another part of Mr Gretsch's property. This case of vandalism seems particularly vicious since it has destroyed something used by so many of the town's young people.

One thing which ha not gone unnoticed at the home basketball games this past season was the presence of the Pep Band, under the direction of Joseph Grasso. This group played for the opening ceremonies of each game, as well as many times during the contest.

March 7, 1941

Due to the lack of heavy snow fall during the winter, there now exists a very bad fire hazard. Anyone burning papers, etc is warned to keep constant watch. It may also be well to note that it is against the law to throw a lighted cigarette from any vehicle. You have an ash try in your car - use it. If the car is not so equipped, buy one and save needless loss through carelessness.

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The old time general store of Corbett and Crowe in Sandy Hook has been reorganized and opened for business at the old stand on Friday of last week, under the new set up. It is now exclusively a drug store, doing business under the name of Corbett& Crowe, as in the past. They have already put fluorescent lights into their building and have remodeled the store more to their liking. The grocery business will be given up and they will sell off their remaining stock at one-third reduction. Messers. Corbett & Crowe will carry only the best of drugs.

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Rev Bashah Hivali, Ph.D. of Bombay, India, who is a missionary under the American Board and is in America on sabbatical leave, took part in the service on Sunday morning at the Congregational church, and gave a most interesting sermon on the subject of his native country.

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The Military Affairs subcommittee of the Newtown Home Defense committee held an open meeting at the Edmond town Hall on Tuesday evening, when over thirty able-bodied citizens of the town attended. Herman R. Geiger, secretary of the Military Affairs subcommittee gave a thorough and interesting explanation of the purpose, duties, training and equipment of a proposed Home Defense Unit. One of the most important factors of the local troop would be its ability to mobilize instantly upon call. Mr Geiger gave much detail as to the reasons why the organization should be made up of local men, yet sponsored by the state. Robert Fairchild offered a resolution that a petition be sent to Hartford, signed by all who would support such a troop if organized in Newtown.

March 11, 1916

Edgar Ferris Hawley, for 30 years one of Newtown's most enterprising merchants, died on Friday night, in New Milford. For several years he had been in poor health, suffering greatly in the last few months of his life. As a young man he clerked for a time in the employ of Birdsey & Morgan in Bridgeport. He then came to Newtown and entered the employ of Henry Sanford, a prominent merchant of that day. Later he was admitted in the firm of Sanford, Barnum & Hawley. After Mr Sanford's death, Mr Hawley continued the business. After the failure and death of L.B. Booth, Mr Hawley bought the Booth property and store and moved his business. He continued business in this store until financial matters caused his retirement. He conducted a store in Derby. He then removed to New Milford opening a grocery store under the firm name The Farmer's Trading Co, where he continued in business until compelled to give up active business by failing health.

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George B. Pearsall, foreman on the farm of Mr Authes, gave the teacher and children of the Pootatuck school a sleigh ride on February 24, taking them through Newtown, Mt Pleasant, and Taunton. The children greatly enjoyed the treat.

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John Nicholson, an employee of the Harris Wire mills, has been called to the colors, and sailed on Friday to enlist in the English army. Mr Nicholson has been a resident of this country for three years and is very highly spoken of by Sandy Hook people.

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HIGH SCHOOL NOTES: A large family of mice has settled on one of the shelves in the laboratory. For their winter home they have tastily selected a large roll of cotton batting. The "lab" has recently been equipped with a stepladder and a new table; these offer a refuge to the girls when a mouse makes its debut.