Despite all of the inclement weather we’ve been experiencing lately, spring sports are well under way at the high school. Last Friday, the girls track team won its opening meet of the season by topping Brookfield, 68-54.

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Area trout fishermen who cast their lines in the Housatonic this year are apt to find pickin’s slim. For the first time in 56 years the state Department of Environment and Protection will not stock the river with trout.

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Problems exist with the roofs of some of the buildings in Newtown’s multimillion-dollar school complex and, if immediate attention isn’t given to them, conditions will only worsen. Roofs at four of the schools need replacement or repair.

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Armed with several suitcases of beaded clothing, feathers, decorative bells, instruments, and artifacts of the North American Indians, Newtown’s Chip Hendrickson family presented themselves to Mr Manfredonia’s class at Newtown High. Attired in traditional costume, the Hendricksons performed dances and answered a multitude of questions about various aspects of Indian culture.

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What constitutes “a clear and present danger” to citizen’s rights under the First Amendment? A dramatized version of various censorship issues was presented to Newtown High School juniors by the Hartford Stage Company recently.

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The students of Dr Michael Moher at Newtown Middle School have been involved in a special energy conservation program. Dr Moher proposed to his students that government action alone will not solve the energy crisis, and any real solution to the energy crisis must come from the active involvement of citizens, young and old.

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Countering slick, brightly designed boxes, free prizes and television isn’t easy, but Dorothy Wenblad, a second grade teacher at Middle Gate Elementary School hoped to teach her class that you can’t judge a cereal box by its cover. Mrs Wenblad had students bring in cereal boxes from home and then had the class rate cereals for their sugar content. Cereals containing the most sugar received the “Yuk” award.

April 22 , 1955

The Elementary School Building Committee, named by town voters last fall to develop plans for a new elementary school in Sandy Hook, is now ready to offer a proposal to Newtown voters. The Board of Finance recommended this week that the town meeting appropriate $645,000 for construction of the new school.

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“C.Y.O. Varieties,” a musical, will be presented at the Edmond Town Hall theatre next Thursday evening, April 28, by the combined youth clubs of St Rose Church. A fast, peppy show of songs and dances is promised all who attend.

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After making a careful study over the past several months of the recreational needs of Newtown, and properties available for recreational use, the Newtown Park Commission has selected a 24-acre site near the center of town, which, it feels, is suitable in every respect for a town park. The recommended tract, owned by Robert T. Blakeley of Bridgeport, is located a little more than a mile from the flagpole, fronting on Elm Drive, Brushy Hill Road and Deep Brook. The purchase price is $30,000.

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How Newtown children in the first six grades are taught to read is the subject of a booklet compiled by the Reading Group of the Newtown Citizen’s Committee on Education out this week. The booklet, a neat mimeographed job, is being sent home to parents by children in these grades.

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In anticipation of National Home Demonstration Week, which will be observed May 1 through 7, the Newtown Homemakers have elected Mrs Edson Van Brunt of Dodgingtown as “Homemaker of the Year” of the group.

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In the past week, the Edmond Town Hall theatre has been showing a Little League movie, much to the enjoyment of its young audiences. The movie, which has a timely bearing on the Little League activities just getting under way in Newtown, was procured by Town Players.

Edward B. Lang, assistant editor of The Bee and an enthusiastic ornithologist, spoke to members and guests of the Rector’s Chapter at Trinity Episcopal Church. Highlighting his talk with colorful slides, Mr Lang told his listeners something of the fascination of bird watching.

April 18, 1930

Among the trout fishermen who were out on the brooks Wednesday was Rev Dr H. Gesner, who landed three nice trout which he proceeded to give to friends. Other fishermen on the same brook appeared to be having no luck, but Dr Gesner knows how to fish.

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Mrs E.L. Kingman gave to the church an exquisite set of purificators made by herself. All these gifts will be blessed and set apart for holy uses at the 8 o’clock service on Easter morning.

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The new Sandy Hook Confectionery store which opened last week under the management of “Al” Fatool, is enjoying excellent business from both local and out-of-town patrons.

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Trinity Church will be reopened with joyful services on the greatest feast day of the church year. At the early service the rector will bless the gifts lately given to the church, a new white altar hanging, a new lectern Bible and a new altar book and a new surplice for the rector.

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The next meeting of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce will take place on April 24, at St John’s Guild room in Sandy Hook. John W. Anderson, president and general manager of the Plastic Molding Corporation of Sandy Hook will be present and speak and exhibit specimens of the work turned out and the interesting processes employed.

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The Girls’ Friendly Society during Lent has made a study of the mission work of the church in China and Porto Rico. Tuesday night the several groups gave interesting papers or talks on these fields of service.

April 21, 1905

Marcus Camp has improved his place by having the large stump of a maple tree in front of his house removed. Patrick McInerny assisted him with the work.

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Mrs James O’Brien of Zoar has a handsome rose in her home which has 40 buds on it besides several blossoms. It will be a fine sight when it is in full bloom.

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Attorney Charles G. Morris purchased two pairs of steers, last week, of South Britain parties, for use on his farm in Zoar.

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Sparks from the engine set fire to the land of John H. Chautems and burned over 50 acres, doing considerable damage. Neighbors assisted Mr Chautems in putting out the fire and saved it from getting to his buildings.

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A.T. Camp of Hawleyville has sold working oxen to D.C. Peck and Marcus Camp of Mount Pleasant.

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The Academy school was in session on Saturday to the delight of the children, one of the boys expressing to the effect that he was “awfully mad” at this innovation.