The Newtown Bicentennial Committee, faced with money woes, is concerned that a lack of financial support by the town and the townspeople may curtail future Bicentennial celebrations, notably the Labor Day Parade, one of the costlier events to stage because of payments which must be made to participating marching groups from out of town.

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 Edward R. Offchiss of Sandy Hook was listed as one of the 52 survivors in the April 27 crash of an American Airlines jet which crashed into an embankment at the end of the runway at the airport on St Thomas Island in the Virgin Islands, crossed a busy highway, and plowed into a gas station, causing a fiery explosion. Mr Offchiss, the co-pilot and first officer of the jet, reportedly suffered a broken ankle in the crash, when the nose of the aircraft broke off, dropping those in the cockpit, Mr Offchiss, the pilot, and the flight engineer, to safety. Following the crash at least 36 persons were listed as dead or missing. The airport at St Thomas has long been considered risky because of its unusually short runway.

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As graduation time rolls around, talk generates as to who will be the principal speaker. In the past that speaker has usually been a dignitary of some sort, a politician, educator, or community leader, and for the past few years has been a student chosen from the senior class. This year the seniors at Newtown High School decided to go a different route and have someone who might offer an unusual and humorous twist to graduation – Don Imus, the radio personality who is known for his controversial comments and take-off of life in general. It all started when one of the seniors, Butch Dreher, went to New York for one of Mr Imus’ radio shows and asked him to speak at Newtown’s graduation in June.

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For those who like to enjoy a light and delightful evening at the theater the place to go is The Little Theatre on Orchard Hill Road to see the Newtown Town Players’ production of Twigs, which opened last weekend. This award-winning play is a comedy in four acts, with cast members Robert Pooley, Pierre Rochman, Gail Halapin, Allan Cossuto, Marty Sauer, Jay Voss, Beverly Hickson, Pat Edmond, Nancy Howes, Glen Miller, and Bill Kingsbury.

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During the recent Legislative Council deliberations on the town budget, Councilman Paul Smith urged council members to consider having funds earmarked in the budget for the restoration and maintenance of Newtown’s old cemeteries, which are not being cared for and are rapidly deteriorating. One of the members of the police department, Det Sgt Michael DeJoseph, was at several of these council meetings when Mr Smith was making his plea, and he took the idea back to headquarters with him, approaching the men on the idea of taking over one of the cemeteries on a permanent basis. All were in agreement that should be done. The cemetery chosen was Cold Spring on Botsfield Hill Road, started in 1810.

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A generous gift of $1,000 has been made by Mrs Robert Hellum to the Newtown Forest Association. It was gratefully accepted at the meeting of the officers and directors of the Association Monday evening, April 26, at the home of Atty Thomas L. Cheney.

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Members of the Newtown Congregational Church will meet in the Memorial Room of the church house near Edmond Town Hall Sunday, May 2, at 2 pm to decide what use the church should make of the Nettleton property at West Street and Castle Hill Road. They will vote on whether to embark upon a plan to locate all church buildings in a single complex there.

MAY 4, 1951

With hearty support of Newtown residents, the special finance committee of the Newtown Ambulance Association reports this week that the fundraising drive conducted here during the past month for purchase of the new ambulance has emphatically surpassed its goal. With an original objective of $6,674, gifts for the cause have totaled $5,909. The board of trustees feels confident that the usual fall membership campaign for supporting expenses can be eliminated in 1951.

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Harold S. DeGroat, Newtown’s director of recreation, took part in the five-day annual convention of the Eastern District Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation which ended at Hotel Statler, New York City, Thursday, April 26, with educational leaders from 11 northeastern states taking part in the program.

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Honoring the memory of Ethan Allen, “forgotten patriot of the American Revolution,” Howell Wright of Main Street delivered an address before the Mary Wooster Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in the Scott-Fanton Historical Museum, Danbury, last Friday afternoon.

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The Newtown Toy Clinic has recently delivered quantities of toys to the Newington Home for Crippled children and to the Southbury Training School. Toys received and needing repair or repainting are processed by the clinic before sending them on their way to gladden the less fortunate youngsters.

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Members of the Newtown Congregational Church School have prepared a Church Museum which will be ready this Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 for public inspection. The museum will contain articles of interest which the children and young people have made during the year in connection with their study of the Christian church.

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Organizations of young people in Newtown are bending their efforts in preparation for the annual Youth Club Jamboree taking place in the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium Friday, May 18.

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With half the beds in US hospitals given over to patients with mental or emotional ills, and with seven million Americans estimated to belong in like categories, Dr John Dollard, president of the Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene, speaking last Sunday in Danbury, pointed out ways for improvement of the nation’s mental health and reducing the number of unfortunates now crowding our state hospitals.

APRIL 30, 1926

Fire broke out in the residence of W.R. Turner in Taunton Monday night. The neighbors responded and after a hard fight, the fire was put out. Mr and Mrs Turner were very grateful for the timely assistance.

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Mrs H.H. Taylor, of the Old Orchard Tea Room, has purchased one of the up-to-date Savage washing machines of E.J. Hall.

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The big maple tree in front of F.H. Trowbridge’s house was taken down on Wednesday.

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John A. Carlson, local Nash dealer, is showing one of the new four-door Special Six Nash Sedans.

MAY 3, 1901

Charles G. Peck, the affable carrier on RFD Route No. 16, and his competent assistant, Arthur I. Platt, enjoyed a ride to Woodbury on Sunday, dining at Landlord L.F. Curtis’ popular hostelry.

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The town meeting on Saturday last was a very large one, despite the busy season for the farmers, over 200 voters being present. Deputy Sheriff M.C. Rodgers was chosen chairman and made an excellent presiding officer, his decision being decidedly fair, and he kept the business moving, making the meeting very short. (Note: The meeting voted down Dr Gordon’s proposition that the town give a bonus to any company deciding to operate the vacant rubber factories.)