* * *

Computers in the schools — is it technological hysteria, media hype, or a genuine need in public education? “It is not hysteria if it is put into a school system in a logical order,” said Computer Education Committee co-chair Ronald Vitarelli, Sandy Hook School principal. In a recent Sunday New York Times article, Prof Weizenbaum, an instructor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, warns Connecticut educators against being swept up in what he called a “mass hysteria” movement to buy computers for schools. “In Newtown,” continued Mr Vitarelli, “we’re designing how and why computers fit into a kindergarten through grade 12 program first and then acquiring the hardware.”

* * *

The Newtown Nurtury, an afterschool play group being run at Newtown High School, is entering its fourth week and has proven to be very successful. Fifteen small boys and girls between the ages of two and one-half and four years have been treated to a variety of new learning experiences. A total of 23 high school students have enjoyed creating individual and group experiences with the children.

* * *

The Olympic Torch will pass through Newtown on its way to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the opening ceremonies for the Games of the XXIII Olympiad this July and August. The flame will be carried by Olympic Relay torchbearers through town on Friday, May 11. “They won’t be stopping in town, they’ll run right through,” said Chief Marchese, who added that he didn’t know the exact time the flame will be here.

 

April 24, 1959

The Newtown Baseball team needs three things to match last year’s efforts, manager Jack Rosenthal reports, “An infield, an outfield, and money.” On the serious side, Mr Rosenthal said there are definite holes in the lineup and it is hoped that more players will turn out for practice Sunday and on following Tuesdays and Thursdays.

* * *

James Paproski, winner for the first annual Newtown Junior Chamber of Commerce Teen Age Road-E-O Contest, repeated his feat this year and will take part in the regional test on May 9 in Stratford. The auto was furnished by Amaral’s Garage.

* * *

Tax Collector George A. Jackson has announced that a policy of the tax collector’s office will be enforced this year in the expectation it will effect a savings to taxpayers. He announces that no receipts will be mailed out unless a self-addressed, stamped envelope is enclosed with payment. Of course, Mr Jackson points out, those who pay their taxes in person will receive a receipt at the tax office.

* * *

Mrs Robert J. Clark of Hawleyville is opening her Land’s End Country Store on Monday, April 27, for the summer season. This unique enterprise which has contributed its profits for so long to cancer research will be open daily, except Sundays and Thursdays, from 11:30 am to 5 pm.

April 20, 1934

Charles R. Beardsley of Zoar caught four beautiful trout, Sunday, weighing about a pound each. Irving Beers caught a handsome trout, Monday, tipping the scales at a pound and a quarter.

* * *

The Maryland Tea Room was opened for the season, Saturday, and in spite of the rain, did a fine business throughout the day. Mr and Mrs Harris are now serving sizzling steaks in addition to the celebrated Maryland fried chicken.

* * *

At the Borough caucus on Thursday night in the selectmen’s room at the Edmond Town hall, 21 voters were present, after vigorous telephoning was done to get the legal number, 20. The Warden and Burgesses were empowered to fill any vacancies that might occur on the ticket by resignation or otherwise. Edward B. Allen, who has served so efficiently as warden for three years, emphatically declined a renomination.

* * *

The many personal and professional friends of Dr W.F. Desmond will be pleased to learn that he has now fully recovered from a serious illness of more than three month’s duration. He will resume practice on Monday, April 23, with two offices, one in his new home in Newtown and one in association with Dr Corrigan in Sandy Hook. The Newtown telephone is 18, and the Sandy Hook telephone is 175.

 

April 23, 1909

M.G. Keane, the genial stone and marble man of Bridgeport, was a caller at The Bee office, Wednesday. He has the contract for the stone and marble work on the Newtown Savings bank building. Mr Keane came to Sandy Hook as a boy of 13 and says he did his first work for the late Lawrence Mitchell.

* * *

The forest fire which raged on the mountain west of the farm of T.E. Platt & Son caused great alarm and did a lot of damage. Had not a large force of men turned out to fight the fire, the houses and barns in Hopewell would have had a close call. Mr Platt’s telephone was brought into service and in that way about 100 men were gathered to fight the fire.

* * *

Hattertown — Birdsey Peck has moved his saw mill to J.M. Woolsey’s and is now sawing out the frame for the new barn which Edgar C. Northrop is to build for Mr Woolsey.

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The party who picked up the wagon cushion belonging to C.F. Beardsley should be very careful with it as there is a large dynamite cartridge concealed in it which was not intended for him. If the finder will kindly return it, I will remove the cartridge and give him back the cushion. —C.F. Beardsley