March 23, 1990

Geologically, the Pootatuck aquifer will never have a “high” profile, but Newtown’s main underground water source is now at the top of New England environmentalist’s lists. Efforts from concerned citizens and a state legislator to protect the aquifer from contamination have resulted in the naming of the resource as the town’s sole source of drinking water. Only 10 other aquifers in New England states have been given similar standing.

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At the Legislative Council meeting March 21, Doug Rogers — president of the Newtown Forest Association — gave the council a petition signed by more than 250 persons who favor a partial ban on the discharge of firearms in town. Concerned about the safety of people walking through the woods, Mr Rogers is seeking a ban on the discharge of firearms on the association’s properties, and on town-owned land. He also would like restrictions placed on the discharge of firearms in areas close to private properties. The discharge of firearms already is banned in the Borough of Newtown.

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One of the many stallions that will be at the Post College Stallion Parade on Sunday, April 1, will be the pure Polish Arabian Amurath Danzig, owned by Judith Evans of Newtown. “Dan” is 16 years old and stands 15.1 hands. He commands $1,000 stud fees and is an International Arabian Horse Association-nominated sire.

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The luck of the Irish was selective on March 17, but the weather held just long enough for Newtown High School’s Marching Band to complete its glorious display of step and time in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. There was just enough breeze to keep the flags and banners unfurled, just enough sunshine to warm the body and plenty of good will to go around. It was a time to be proud of one’s Irish heritage, of one’s citizenship in such a diverse land — and of the Newtown High School Marching Band.

March 26, 1965

A generous donation from each of the fire companies in Newtown has made possible the purchase of uniforms for Forest Fire Fighting Crew at the high school. This group is made up of juniors and seniors, over age 16, and assists the fire companies with forest and brush fires. According to Fire Marshal Millard Goodsell, the students can and will cut considerably the cost and time in fighting this type of fire.

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Last Sunday evening the people of Newtown and surrounding towns came to Edmond Town Hall to hear about the trip to Selma, Ala., from which four of Newtown’s clergy men returned on March 16. The 240 seats in the gymnasium were almost entirely filled, with an overflow seated on bleachers at the side and standing at the rear. The four ministers conducting the meeting were the Rev Edward H. Cook of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Rev James B. Ilten of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Father Richard R. Losch of St John’s Episcopal Church, and Rev Alastair Sellars of the Newtown Congregational Church. After each of the four ministers had briefly described his experience, the meeting was opened to questions. These dealt with steps which people of Newtown’s congregations could now take; whether discrimination existed in the north.

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When astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young made their out-of-this-world trip on Tuesday, one group in Newtown watched and listened with special interest, for they had a direct hand in making the trip possible. NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency, is a major customer of the Heise Bourdon Tube Company. Pressure gauges made in the immaculate plant just off Route 25 in Newtown are the master gauges by which many of the dials in Gemini Three were checked and calibrated.

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Twenty foreign students, representing 13 different lands, were the guests of the Newtown Rotary Club last weekend for International Night, the club’s part in the World Understanding Week. The plan for Saturday called for a tour of the Atomic Plant at Indian Point. Old man weather stepped in, however, and curtailed this event for part of the group. Others enjoyed a tour of S. Curtis and Son, Sandy Hook, and Unimation Inc of Bethel. President and Mrs Robert Stokes entertained the students and the host families at a cocktail party Saturday evening, prior to the annual dinner.

 

March 22, 1940

The Maryland Grill, under the management of Mr and Mrs William B. Harris, will open on Saturday, for its twelfth season. On Easter Sunday, a special hickory smoked Virginia ham dinner will be served for $1, and for the remainder of the season popular priced luncheons and dinners will be served daily. Mr and Mrs Harris, who recently returned from Florida, where they passed the winder, have made extensive alterations on the Maryland and are looking forward to a busy season.

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With but nine remaining games, the Crows, led by their stalwart captain, “Al” Nichols, are making a strong bid for first place honors into the second half of the Bowling League. To date, they have won twenty-two games, while losing 11, and are leading the second place Owls by one and one-half games. This coming week, however, may be the deciding one in the race for the championship as the Owls and Crows tangle in a three-game match on Wednesday evening.

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The subject of paid police protection for Newtown will be the principal topic at the March meeting of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, which takes place at the Parker House, next Thursday evening, March 28, at 8 o’clock. The special committee appointed at the Chamber’s last meeting will make its report and the subject will then be thrown open for general discussion. It is the hope for the Chamber that the proposal, as finally approved by the entire membership, can then be presented to the townspeople for definite action at a special town meeting.

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The Colonial Beauty Salon, located in the Atchison Block, opened for inspection on Monday with over 100 people calling at the new salon. The interior presents a most attractive appearance, being done in knotty pine with maple furnishing. The equipment is of the latest type, with Frederic permanent wave machines. Numerous baskets of flowers were sent to Miss Laura Knapp and Miss Agnes Smith, proprietors of the new beauty parlor, who wish to extend thanks to the public for the interest shown at the opening.

 

March 26, 1915

By order of the selectmen of Newtown and the Commissioner of Domestic Animals, all dogs in Newtown must be muzzled for a period of three months from March 23. 1) All dogs in the said town of Newtown that are known to have been bitten by a rabid dog shall be forthwith mercifully killed by the Dog Warden. 2) All dogs known to have been in contact with a rabid dog, but not positively known to have been bitten by said rabid dog, and all dogs showing symptoms of rabies shall be quarantined. 3) No dog shall be allowed to go at large in said town of Newtown for a period of three months from and after the date these rules shall go into effect, except it wear a wire muzzle. Dogs on leashes while on public thoroughfares must also be muzzled. 4) Hunting dogs while actually engaged in hunting and accompanied by owner or hunter may be relieved of muzzle. 5) The dog warden of the town of Newtown shall capture and take into custody every dog in said town of Newtown not confined or controlled and shall impound, hold and kill such dog as is provided by Section 4 of said Chapter 55. 6) These rules shall take effect at 8 o’clock in the forenoon of Tuesday, March 23, 1915.

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Charles G. Peck, the popular Borough warden, fell in his barn on Saturday, a distance of 10 feet. He injured his back quite severely and was more or less stunned. John C. Beers, who happened to be in the street, took him to the office of Dr Gale, and later to the residence of Eli B. Beers, where he remained a day or two.

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A sure sign of spring is the marble or “mib” contests now raging in Sandy Hook. Every pleasant moment you can see a crowd at it on the main street at Sandy Hook, including such veterans as Druggist Crowe and Ex-Representative E.W. Troy. Howard Milo, more familiarly known as “Fat” Milo, and Austin Hurd are the Blue Ribbon players in Sandy Hook. They have cleaned up everything in sight and are said to be looking for larger game. “Speed” Corbett and Richard Carmody are also among the expert “mib” shots of the Hook. “Fat” Milo has now so many “mibs” he is said to have his shed stocked full and may hire the Gledhill mill in which to store his winnings.

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Selectman Briscoe Makes Timely Suggestion: Asks the Citizens to Act on the Principle That They are Working for Themselves When They Work For the Town: “Fellow citizens of the Town of Newtown, will you listen to me? Now, being that the town is pretty well involved in debt, which must necessarily make our taxes high, now for the welfare of our fellow beings, who will join hands with me to try and reduce the town’s debt? I have noticed that most men when working for the town will charge all the law will allow and sometimes a little more than it ought to allow. Now I am working for myself in part, for I am taxed to help pay for the very work that I am doing. When we are at work for ourselves we try to do the job as good as we can and as quick as we can and also as cheaply as we can. Let’s work for the town just the same as though we were working for ourselves. Now I write this to see how many tax payers there are in town who would be willing to help reduce expenses. Perhaps I am the only kicker in town after all, and if so, I will stop and sit down.” ~ E.D.B.