April 9, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Thomas Ward.

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The Fairfield Hills Advisory Committee is headed back to the drawing board to rethink its original position regarding the purchase of Fairfield Hills. The advisory committee, first created by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, recommended last fall that Newtown purchase the 186-acre core campus (and one million square feet of space in the buildings) currently for sale by the state of Connecticut. It cited cost (about $10 million) and liability as the most compelling reasons to not buy the property. However, numerous residents have since urged the town to take a second look at the property. It is simply too valuable to give up, no matter what the cost, they argue.

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The American Legion Auxiliary, Newtown Unit 202, recently presented Newtown Senior Center with a check and certificate of appreciation for everything the center does for the community. Senior Center Director Marilyn Place accepted the certificate and check presented by Unit 202 Chaplain MaryAnn Costagliola.

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The Legislative Council voted unanimously Monday night to restore $80,000 to the Board of Education’s proposed budget. At the same time, it refused to restore the $20,000 to the library budget despite pleas from library supporters. For the second year in a row, council member Ed Lucas requested that the school board budget be re-opened. This time, his motion passed, as did his proposal to restore some money to the school accounts. … The council had originally cut about $1 million from the proposed $3.3 million school board increase (10.41 percent). It restored $173,000 two weeks ago after realizing the town’s anticipated tax increase was not as high as first thought. The new figure of $34.7 million still represents an 8.7 percent increase over the current school spending.

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The Newtown Business & Professional Women’s Club has awarded $500 scholarships to Suzanne E. Dunn and Doreen M. Kelleher, both of Sandy Hook. Presentation of the scholarships was made during the club’s dinner meeting Monday at the Mary Hawley Inn. State BPW President Shelley A. Maloney and District 11 Director Gloria Hutchison also attended the meeting. Both scholarship recipients plan to use the scholarships to fund tuition when they return to school ahead of career changes. … Also on Monday, Ann LoBosco of Newtown was presented with an award for being named the 1999 Young Careerist for District II. Ms LoBosco will compete in the statewide competition next month.

April 5, 1974

Alvah R. Cramer, principal of Newtown High School, has announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 1974. Valedictorian is Miss Cynthia St Jean, daughter of Mr and Mrs Leon St Jean. Salutatorian is Miss Catherine Pierson, daughter of Mrs Norma Pierson. Cynthia has majored in the select college preparatory program and will be attending the University of Connecticut next September. Cathy has majored in the select college preparatory program and will be attending either Williams College or the University of Connecticut.

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Over 200 people gathered in the Fairfield Room of the Ramada Inn on Thursday evening, March 28, when the Newtown Jaycee Wives presented “Step Into Spring.” Spring and summer fashions were provided by Nijole, The Toggery, and Larry Stephens, Inc, and they were modeled by the Jaycees, Jaycee Wives, and their children. … Louis Salon of Beauty did the hairstyles for the show, and the set decorations were done by Four Seasons. Co-chairmen of the event were Mrs Robert Brand and Mrs Charles Paulsen. Proceeds from the show will be used by the Wives for their service projects in Newtown.

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On Saturday evening, March 30, the five fire companies of Newtown joined forces and had a testimonial dinner at the Stony Hill Inn for two ladies who had just retired after a combined 34 years of service to the town. These two, Mrs Myrtle Von Bank and Mrs Louise Urbanovsky, had had a lot of contact with the firemen in those years for they were employed at the switchboard of the Town Hall and had relayed many a fire call during the years. Mrs Von Bank had spent 18 years behind the switchboard and served 16 of them as head operator. Mrs Urbanovsky’s voice was a familiar one for 16 years, and between the two of them they probably managed to carry on communications with the volunteers through some of the worst fire calls in the history of the town.

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By a plurality of 456 votes, the voters of Newtown in an all-day referendum April 1, elected to retain the Boyle property on Boggs Hill Road as a site for a new elementary school. The turnout for the vote, 3,681, was a record for any referendum in town, including those on budgets. … It was the third referendum on the Boyle issue and each time the vote took place, nearly 1,000 more voters turned up at the polls.

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Newtown Housing for the Elderly Inc is continuing its search for a tract of land to locate an elderly housing project, funded by a loan from the Farmers Home Administration. In a report released this week by Arthur Sherer, whose committee has been studying a number of sites throughout town for NES and the Board of Selectmen, 17 of these tracts are analyzed and discussed. … Also, Newtown Housing for the Elderly, functioning as a non-profit group to obtain a loan for the town, is seeking names of persons age 62 or older who might be interested in moving into rental housing units. Housing for the Elderly President Stanley Main said at the group’s meeting on Monday that its members are trying to compile the necessary information, including a list of possible residents to be given to Farmers Home Administration by April 26.

April 1, 1949

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — OUR PLACE IS ONE OF SERVICE: We were flattered to be interviewed recently by Miss Jane McMaster, associate editor of The American Press, who wished to obtain material for an article on The Bee. Miss McMaster’s article appears in the March issue of The American Press, which is a trade paper published for the weekly newspaper field by the American Press Association. The article, entitled “Good Will Built The Bee And Keeps It Buzzing,” is reprinted elsewhere in this issue. We, of course, are pleased with Miss McMaster’s appraisal of our paper, and we pass it on to our readers—with due apology for our natural pride in it. We must admit, also, that part of our reason for the reprint lies in the fact that we consider it good publicity for everyone close at hand to appreciate the value placed on our weekly newspaper by someone who is familiar with newspaper publishing on a national level and knows whereof she speaks. To each member of The Bee’s loyal staff goes credit for a share in our constant effort to produce an increasingly better newspaper. For we are not unmindful that there is room for improvement which, in due time, we hope to accomplish. The place of every successful newspaper is one of service to its own particular territory, and it is that place which we shall always strive to fill.

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Miss Mary Cullens arrived last Thursday at the home of her parents, Rev and Mrs Paul Cullens, to spend the spring vacation from her studies at Dana Hall, Wellesley, Mass.

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Helen Christine Selberg celebrated her eighth birthday on Saturday afternoon by entertaining a dozen of her friends at a party at her home in Sandy Hook.

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Agnes Kobin of the Colonial Beauty Shop has announced that her shop will be closed on Monday and Tuesday of next week as she will be attending a hairdresser’s convention at Grand Central Palace, New York City.

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Mr and Mrs John Fox and family moved on Saturday from an apartment in the house belonging to William A. Johnston in South Center district to the home on Main street formerly owned by the late Miss Sarah H. Bogart.

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Raymond J. Trimpert, vice president of the Newtown Lions Club, was the speaker at the club’s meeting at Hawley Manor, on Wednesday evening of last week, with George W. Trull, president, presiding. Mr Trimpert gave the members some interesting facts and illustrations of the part that chemistry plays in the manufacture of hats and credited the late Frank H. Lee, Danbury hat manufacturer, and Dr Fabian with having eliminated through their efforts the mercury poison hazard from the hatting industry.

March 28, 1924

Dr W.H. Kiernan has been appointed medical examiner for the town of Brookfield by Coroner Phelan to succeed Dr Charles Ryder, who has removed to Georgetown. Dr Kiernan is the capable medical examiner and health officer for Newtown.

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Hurd & Lillis have a Chevrolet touring car, bought through the Woodbury Sales Co. Joseph Keniry of Sandy Hook has a new Chevrolet touring car, bought through F.E. Knox of Woodbury.

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Senator Philo T. Platt, who has been confined to his home for nearly two months when he was overcome by gas poisoning, was a visitor in the Street, Tuesday, and was cordially greeted by his many friends.

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Harry Mackenzie, state labor commissioner, and his deputy, Mr Fowler, with Ex-Mayor Gilbert of Danbury were callers at The Newtown Savings Bank Tuesday.

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Dr Knapp of Danbury smashed the new crank case on his new Packard car on the Sugar street road, one day last week.

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Mrs Beach Nichols of Mt Pleasant has been passing a week with Dr and Mrs Harry Nichols in New Haven. Beach Nichols went to New Haven, Wednesday morning, and Dr Nichols brought Mr and Mrs Nichols back to Newtown by auto, Wednesday afternoon.

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Selectman and Mrs John J. Northrop, John A. Northrop, Miss Cora Northrop, Miss Hattie M. Northrop and Mr and Mrs C.F. Cavanaugh passed Sunday at the Northrop cottage at Cedar Beach.

April 7, 1899

Charity covers a multitude of sins; and bright paper, joined with fresh paint, can cover a good deal that it is worth while to hide from view. The difference between the prayer-meeting room of the Congregational church, now that paper, paint and a new carpet have lent to it new charms, and what it was before is about like the difference between the boy’s knockabout suit and his Sunday best. The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor are to be congratulated on the good work they have done, and perhaps a word of special praise is due to the pastor of the church, Mrs C.B. Taylor and Miss Mabel Morris, the committee, who have carried the word to its successful issue. Hereafter the Endeavor society and all members of the church will have no hesitation in inviting their friends to meetings held in this room, since the brightness of the surroundings is likely to add the brightness of the thoughts expressed in the service.

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Mrs Aaron Sanford has been passing the last week at Atlantic city with her daughter, Mrs Harley T. Proctor.

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Wilbur French has been laid up for two weeks with a bad carbuncle on his hand, but is now able to be about again.

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George W. Northrop of Palestine has been greatly bothered lately by dogs prowling about his place, and if the dogs are not kept at home, Mr Northrop says he will not answer for the consequences.

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EASTER AT ST JOHN’S CHURCH: St John’s people never fail to have a good Easter festival. The church was sweet and beautiful with plants and flowers; the choir rendered an elaborate program of music; the sermon was of special interest; and there were good congregations present at both services. The subject of the sermon was, “The Spiritual life in the Spiritual World.” Eph. 3:15 (R.V.) … Nearly the whole congregation in the morning received the Holy Communion. Mrs Tucker sang a beautiful solo at the offertory. The amount of the offerings for the day, including the children’s Lenten collections, of $35, and personal gifts to the choir, was $127.65. At the afternoon service the infant son of Mr and Mrs Alfred Peterson, Otto Alfred, was baptized.

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.