April 21, 2000

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Deborah Osborne.

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The Board of Selectmen this week said it needs more information from the Fairfield Hills advisory committee before it makes a recommendation to the Legislative Council on whether or not Newtown should purchase the former state mental health hospital. The selectmen plan to meet again with Michael Floros’ board in early May.

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Bobby, Dayton, Clair, and their Montessori classmates claimed their cubbies this week, as the Newtown Montessori Society’s new Fraser-Woods School was granted a partial certificate of occupancy last Friday and deemed fit to house students. After missing eight school days, Montessori students resumed classes on Monday. “They met our qualifications,” Zoning Enforcement Officer Gary Frenette said Monday, stating that the 8.7 acre site had needed certain safety adjustments before the town would sign off on it.

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Zoar Road became the second Newtown thoroughfare to receive scenic road status after the Legislative Council voted unanimously in favor of the designation Wednesday night. Zoar Road joins Sanford Road (off Echo Valley Road) as the only other road in town to receive this status. … The application was filed earlier this year by resident Michael Osborne and about 10 other homeowners on Zoar Road — a 4,224-foot dirt road that juts off Route 34 and winds its way though the woods before intersecting with Bennetts Bridge Road. All 11 homeowners signed the petition requesting the road be considered for scenic road status.

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A few days after Martha Stewart announced in a New York Times Sunday magazine article that she was thinking about moving out of Westport, one of her news crews showed up in Newtown. Were they scouting for one of the country’s most popular lifestyle mavens? Would Newtown become the new home base for the nationally syndicated television show Martha Stewart Living? Was Newtown about to be put on the map, for all the world to watch from the comfort of their homes? Well, yes and no. A production crew from Martha Stewart Living visited Newtown on April 11, but the visit was to spend time with R. Scudder Smith, the owner and publisher of Bee Publishing Co., Inc. … A day of taping in Newtown will result in an upcoming segment about The Bee’s national newspaper, Antiques and The Arts Weekly.

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The Cub Scouts from Hawley School’s Pack 70 ran their annual Pinewood Derby Saturday, April 3, at the High School. Each Scout had worked his pine block into a colorful masterpiece, with designs ranging from sleek formula-style racers to tractor-trailers, from dragons to army tanks. The creation of each car gave the boys valuable lessons in woodworking, tool handling, hand-eye coordination, and the results of hard work.

April 18, 1975

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — THANKS TO MESSRS WOOD AND REVERE: The date of this week’s Newtown Bee falls right on the anniversary of the famous ride of Paul Revere, and we have paid proper attention to this event in our antiques section. … Two weeks ago we featured in the antiques section a menu which just might have met the tastes of Paul Revere and on that first page we had a most attractive drawing done by Harrie Wood of Newtown showing Mr and Mrs Revere, on horseback, heading off into the country for a picnic. This week Mr Wood has again turned his very talented hand towards the world of Paul Revere, as can be seen in the center fold of the antiques section. The Revere home, plus many things associated with this legendary figure, are shown. … We want to publicly thank Harrie Wood for his fine contributions to these Paul Revere issues. They will certainly serve to whet the appetites of our subscribers for the special Bicentennial series which Mr Wood will be doing for us.

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The chairmen of the 1975 Newtown Summer Festival Ball, Mr and Mrs Alton Cashman, have announced that each of five Newtown artists have graciously consented to donate a painting for the benefit of the Summer Festival. The artists are: Harrie Wood, Andrei Hudiakoff, Sandra Motyka, Ida Van Tassel and Dana Fradon. The paintings will be sold through a silent auction at the Summer Festival Ball on May 10. … All proceeds from the Summer Festival Ball and the silent art auction will be used to help defray the costs of the many activities planned for Newtowners by the Summer Festival Committee. These events include the Independence Day Fireworks Display, a town-wide Block Party, and the annual parade.

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Superior Court Judge Robert I. Berdon signed on April 11 a “show cause” order, requiring a court appearance by defendants named in the Town of Newtown’s and its Zoning Enforcement Officer’s bid for a temporary injunction against the Cappy’s Sand & Gravel operation. An appearance in Fairfield County Superior Court, Bridgeport, has been set for May 1 at 11 am. Named as defendants are Leonard J. Capozziello, of Fairfield, Cappy’s Sand & Gravel Inc, of Newtown and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company, which has as surety the two bonds for the sand and gravel operation.

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Spending Sunday afternoon, April 13, at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library was fun for young and old alike as Steven Kellogg of Sandy Hook, illustrator and writer of children’s books, told a story to the children and illustrated the tale at the same time. Mr Kellogg’s books, many of which he had donated to the library for the enjoyment of the children of Newtown, have won national awards. His visit on Sunday was sponsored by the Friends of the Library to mark the beginning of National Book Week.

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Newtown’s own Royal Guardsmen had a busy competitive weekend recently and brought home from it four top awards. On Saturday, April 12, the Newtown unit entered a contest in Trumbull hosted by the “Troubadours.” With the highest score in their division, the colorguard earned itself a first place trophy. The captain scoring second highest in her division, earned a second place medal. … In Seymour the following day the Guardsmen earned another first place trophy for the highest score in their division. Captain Robin Holland also won a gold medal honoring her as first place captain in her division.

April 14, 1950

A large gallery of dog fanciers was on hand last Thursday evening in the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium when the Newtown Kennel Club staged its 31st AKC sanctioned match show. Approximately 175 persons attended from surrounding towns and neighboring states, and saw an English setter, “Candy Bar,” owned by Mr and Mrs David H. Truck of Redding Ridge, take the best in show from a field of 65 entries. The setter also won top honors in the sporting dog group.

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The annual appeal is now being made in Newtown, through the sponsorship of Paul S. Smith, for the Junior Republic in Litchfield. Donations so far have reached a total of $212.78. This unusually fine school does splendid work among less fortunate boys in the state, and so it is hoped that the response to this year’s appeal will be as generous as in the past. All friends of the school are asked to help, no matter what the size of the donation.

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Inaugurating a new policy for monthly executive meetings, Town Players is inviting outstanding personalities of the dramatic world to address the local thespians. At recent gatherings, the group has been entertained by Mrs Ethelbert Hales of Walnut Tree Hill, and by Rachel Crothers of Redding.

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The Edward E. Bray Company of Bridgeport began work on the addition to the Edmond Town Hall this past Tuesday. The contractors have assured the Board of Managers that work will progress rapidly and should be completed within five months. The Bridgeport firm was awarded the contract on the basis of its low bid of $41,344, the addition designed by Jerome P. Jackson, Sr, to provide more office space for the present Town Hall occupants and the local visiting nurse.

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Fred A. Schuckman, research director of the Connecticut Public Expenditure Council, was speaker at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Newtown held in the Parker House Monday evening on the subject of Connecticut State Government organization. The Connecticut Public Expenditure Council, with which Mr Schuckman has been associated at Hartford for more than four years, is an independent organization for better government in the interest of Connecticut taxpayers … There was a large and attentive audience of club members and visitors present at the meeting and a flood of questions addressed to the speaker followed the talk.

April 17, 1925

From its slumber during the cold winter months the Newtown Country Club blossomed into new life on Monday, April 13. Most every one was there to enjoy the excellent supper and the cards. The committee of ladies, Mrs Sarah Beers Mitchell, Chairman; Mrs Charles A. Peale, Mrs Frank A. Johnson, Mrs Rodney Shepard and Miss Adeline Hurd, certainly deserve the praise of the club, for it was a supper of par excellence. There were ten tables of whist, a record number.

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Rev and Mrs F.W. Walsh of Bethel called on Dea A.D. Fairchild, Sunday afternoon, and brought him a potted lily from the Bethel church. Dea Fairchild was also the recipient of a potted lily from the Newtown Congregational, whose members hold him in most kindly remembrance.

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Michael F. Collins, who represented Newtown in the Legislative in 1888, died at Passaic, N.J., April 5. Mr Collins is survived by his wife, Mary Kilbride Collins, and five children. He was highly esteemed. The funeral took place on April 8 from the Blessed Sacrament church, Passaic, N.J. The pall bearers were Thomas Blake, James O’Neil, Martin Finnell, Thomas Lillis, John McNamarra and Edward Coughlin.

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Mrs Irwin and daughter have returned to Newtown for the summer and have opened their residence in the Street.

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Mrs F.W. Barnett and Miss Mary Barnett, who have passed the winter at Red Wing, Minn., have arrived in town.

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Mr and Mrs H.W. Blackman, Mr and Mrs C.B. Naramore and children of Bridgeport, Mrs S.F. Schermerhorn, Mr and Mrs S.J. Blackman and F.A. Blackman were dinner guests, Easter Sunday, of Miss Mary Blackman in Danbury

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Friends in town have received announcements of the engagement of Miss Louise E. Hartwig to Dr Ivan Martin of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.

April 20, 1900

A cottage prayer meeting, most helpful in a spiritual way and well attended, was held on Wednesday evening of last week at the home of John Elliot in Taunton district. Rev H.L. Hutchins, field worker for the Connecticut Bible society, led the meeting, taking for his theme, “Rating one’s self at the best.” Rev Otis W. Barker and others from the Congregational church attended and gave support to the meeting.

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Mrs Aaron Sanford has been passing a week at Atlantic City with her daughter, Mrs Harley T. Proctor.

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E.L. Johnson, acting as town visitor in the absence of Mrs Johnson, who is still in California, visited the County Home in Norwalk on Tuesday of this week.

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Mr and Mrs C.B. Johnson attended the funeral of John Keeler in Bethel on Monday.

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John Stillson had an ox seriously injured, last week. Dr Morrell, the well known Southbury veterinarian, is attending it and the ox is in a fair way to recover.

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If all lovers of music could pass through Berkshire at sundown they would hear the most beautiful music ever heard, and that would be the Berkshire orchestra.

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The death of John W. Boyer of Oconomowoc, Wis., familiarly known as “Uncle John,” on Thursday, April 5, came as a shock to the friends and acquaintances. It was not generally known that he was ill, although he was indisposed for nearly four weeks, from grip and diabetes. John Winton Boyer was born at Newtown, Conn., November 20, 1827. In October 1855, Mr Boyer came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Summit, afterward removing to Oconomowoc. He was a mason by trade, but of late years Mr Boyer had engaged in truck gardening near Gifford station, where he also had charge of the railroad station. As a host Mr Boyer was unexcelled. He delighted in preparing a clam bake or chowder for a party of friends and it was his custom, annually, to entertain in that way. Mr Boyer had a fondness for chowder, and it is said he could prepare the tempting dish in epicurean style. Mr Boyer is survived by a wife, one sister, Mrs Frank Morehouse of this city, and a brother, F.W. Boyer of Chicago.—[Wisconsin Free Press.

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.