April 18, 1997

The Legislative Council Wednesday authorized the acceptance of the state’s offer to hand over 22.6 acres and two buildings on the Fairfield Hills Hospital campus. There was a suggestion to hold off on a decision until the town had a better idea of what it was inheriting. In the end, however, the council voted, 8-1, to accept the “gift” before the state changed its mind. As part of the deal, the town stands to receive the 32,000-square-foot Watertown Hall on Old Farm Road and the 7,000-square-foot garage/fire station on Trades Lane. The offer also includes the rolling field between the two buildings, the nearby baseball fields, as well as several smaller lots. The state’s offering would finalize a six-year-old deal it made with Newtown over Garner Correctional Institute.

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Newtown residents authorized the issuance of $630,000 in bonds for the Head O’Meadow School roof replacement project at a town meeting Wednesday night. The money to pay for the project was put into debt service a year ago, so the approval of the bond issuance does not affect this year’s budget. The town had to wait until the roof turned 20 years old recently before going ahead with the work. The state will not reimburse a town for school roof replacement until a roof is 20 years old. The state is expected to pay 32.9 percent of the cost. Work will begin this summer.

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The week of spring vacation always seems to wreak havoc on the Newtown High School girls’ track and field team, but somehow Rick Medve’s squad always gets through it. This year was no exception. On Tuesday, April 15, with nearly 25 of its team members away on vacations and other things, Newtown wagered its 28 meet winning streak when it traveled to Foran for a dual meet that also included New Milford. Foran fell easy prey, 78-58, but New Milford was a different story. The young and thin Newtown team needed larger-than-life efforts from everybody on hand to squeak past the Green Wave, 69-67. The win lifted the Lady Nighthawks to 4-0 on the season and ran the team’s unbeaten regular-season streak, spanning three years, to 30.

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Mark your calendars (in pencil), it’s “official.” Friday, June 13, will be the last day of school for all Newtown students. It will also be Graduation Day for members of the Newtown High School Class of 1997. That means students and their families can begin celebrating summer vacation on Saturday, June 14. “The 13th of June will be our 180th day, and that number fulfills the legal requirement set by the state,” said Newtown Superintendent of Schools John Reed at a recent Board of Education meeting during which the school calendar was discussed.

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Children at Congregation Adath Israel in Newtown conducted a model seder dinner recently in preparation for Passover, the festival of freedom which begins this year at sundown on Monday, April 21. About 80 youngsters in kindergarten through sixth grade joined Rabbi Moshe Betan in following the Haggadah to learn the story of Passover, the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.

April 21, 1972

EDITORIAL INK DROPS: Tempers have had time to cool and perspective has established relative values since Newtown’s uproarious budget hearing on Tuesday evening of last week. We feel sure there will be no repetition of finger pointing and threats of bodily harm at the town’s annual meeting on May 2.

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Newtown High School has chosen its two highest ranking seniors to deliver the valedictory and salutatory addresses at commencement ceremonies in June. Standing as number one in his class is Paul Schierloh, son of Mr and Mrs William Schierloh of Newtown. The senior class valedictorian has just turned 18 and has been active in sports throughout his school years, is president of the National Honor Society and has been active in the Athletic Association and the Latin club. Paul has been accepted at multiple schools, and is planning to study at Yale University in New Haven in the fall in the fields of math and science. Garry Ober ranks second in his class and has always been interested in studying medicine. He too has been accepted into multiple schools, but has not yet decided which college he will attend. The 17-year-old is a son of Mr and Mrs Murrell Ober of Brookfield Center. He is vice president of the senior class, treasurer of the American Field Service, and has been a member of the Student Council for three years.

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Robert L. Waltz, Zoning Enforcement Officer for Newtown, has announced that, in cooperation with the Newtown Police Department, a crackdown is being carried on in the town against illegal junk yards. Mr Waltz told The Bee that this violation is being widely carried on in town. A number of warning letters have been sent out to property owners in the past week. Also, some verbal warnings have been given. More warning letters are in the offing. Warrants will be obtained for violators who do not remove vehicles from the premises within 15 days.

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It lasted four hours and 40 minutes, from 8 o’clock Friday evening, April 14, to 20 minutes of 1 Saturday morning. The 15-minute break halfway through the proceedings must have been particularly welcome to the court stenographer who took down, for study by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the words of those who spoke. “It” was the hearing in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall called by the Planning and Zoning Commission on the application of William Johnson to use 10.96 acres of his property on Albert’s Hill Road as a hospital for the treatment of alcoholics. Zoning regulations permit the use of residential property, which this use, for a hospital, provided a special exception to zoning regulations is approved.

April 18, 1947

The Newtown Kennel club held its first Match Show last Thursday evening at the Edmond Town Hall gym. Because it was the first Dog Show ever to be held in Newtown, the officers and directors of the club were at a loss to know exactly what would happen as regards entries and attendance on the night of the show. By American Kennel Club rules, no advance entries could be accepted as it was a Club Match Show, and although many inquiries had been made, nothing definite could be assumed. Over 300 notices had been mailed out and a press release sent to 25 newspapers so club members were fairly confident their first venture might be a success. As events turned out, the event drew between 70-80 dog entries and the attendance was estimated at over 300.

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Loyal townspeople and scores of friends from neighboring towns and cities joined to compose the big audience which attended the concert given by the Grassy Plain Drum Corps at the Edmond Town Hall auditorium last Thursday evening. The musical was a benefit performance given by the Bethel organization as their contribution in raising funds for uniforms for the Sandy Hook Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps, sponsored by the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company. With final returns from ticket sales still involved, indications are that the concert will net more than $900 after payment of all expenses.

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Dr and Mrs Waldo F. Desmond returned home Sunday from a two-weeks’ stay at St Petersburg, Fla. “Doc” reports attending a number of baseball games, as well as getting to know a few of the Big League players at the hotel and during practice sessions — probably picking up a few pointers for this summer’s softball season!

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The Freshman class of Hawley school held a cake and candy sale recently. Such things as cakes, candy, cookies and deviled eggs were sold. The sale took place in the school auditorium from 12:08 to 12:40. It was a very profitable undertaking.

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Mr and Mrs William Hunter entertained at the weekly contract bridge party held Monday evening at the Country club. High score was made by Mrs J.W. Smith. Rep and Mrs Newton Curtis will be host and hostess at next week’s party.

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While attending early mass at St Rose church last Sunday morning, Joseph Hellauer of Glover avenue had the unfortunate experience of having his car stolen. The car was parked on the grounds to the rear of the church. The State Police are working on the case but thus far have been unable to locate the car which was a 1942 gray Plymouth coupe. In the car at the time it was stolen were a valuable overcoat, golf clubs and brief case containing important papers.

April 14, 1922

The death of Martin Kelly, a highly respected citizen of Newtown, occurred on Friday afternoon at the Roosevelt hospital, New York City, where he had been undergoing treatment. His death was sudden and unexpected, as it was believed he was progressing toward recovery. His passing removes one, who in a long and useful life, had won and retained the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. During Mr Kelly’s life he was employed by the New York Belting and Packing Company, S. Curtis & Son, and State Highway Department. His funeral was largely attended from his late residence on Monday morning at 9 o’clock and from St Rose’s church at 9:30. Rev Father Conway officiated. Surviving Mr Kelly, who was 61 years of age, are his wife and three daughters and one son. There were a number of beautiful floral tributes. Interment was in St Rose’s cemetery. Funeral Director Honan had the arrangements in charge.

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Early in the winter the Community Workers made a plea through the columns of The Bee for funds to purchase material to be made into garments for the American Memorial Hospital of Reims, France. The response was generous and 58 little garments for the French babies of Reims were soon completed. Much knitting was done at home and 45 pairs of socks were sent with the garments the last of January. Enough more are ready to be sent to complete the 100 pairs asked for. The following letter acknowledging the garments has just been received: 88 Rue Chanzy, Reims, March 24, 1922 … Dear Miss Scudder: The seven nice packages arrived together yesterday. Please convey our sincere thanks to all who worked for our babies. We were delighted with everything and the heeless socks were greatly appreciated. We are having a spring colder than the winter has been and it is so nice to be able to keep our delicate babies’ feet warm. Thank you again. Very truly yours, [Marie Louise Lefort.

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The Parent-Teachers’ Association meeting, which was held in the auditorium of the Hawley school Thursday evening, April 3, was addressed by Mrs E.C. Littlefield, president of the State Congress of Mothers’ and Parent-Teachers’ association. Mrs Littlefield spoke most interestingly on school problems and child welfare in general. The state convention of the Congress of Mothers’ and Parent-Teachers’ Association, which will be held at West Haven, April 20 and 21, will be attended by Mrs P.H. McCarthy and Mrs Herbert T. Coger, representing the local association.

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HATTERTOWN NOTES: Albert Liska is the proud owner of a Ford car. | David Parmelee is very sick with pneumonia and under the care of Dr Wight of Bethel, and Mrs Summers, a trained nurse. | Mr and Mrs Charles Shafer and family of Danbury have been recent guests of Mr and Mrs Eugene Northrop. | C.D. Stillson attended the funeral of his cousin, Austin S. Nichols, in Long Hill, Tuesday afternoon. | J.C. Lewis and Claude Lewis were in New York City, last week. | Mr and Mrs Harold Tomlinson attended the McLean-Drew wedding in Shelton, Wednesday. | Hiram B. Moran has moved to Huntingtown occupying the Rabinowitz farm.

April 23, 1897

Daniel Gregory, one of the esteemed residents of Taunton district, died on Friday morning, aged 73 years, eight months and 16 days. He was a native of Ridgefield, but has passed many years in this town. By occupation he was a carpenter, but he also owned a farm to which he devoted more or less time. Mr Gregory has been in failing health for 14 months, and for fully [illegible] months has been confined to his bed. He is survived by a wife and one daughter, Mrs Ferris Mead. Mr and Mrs Gregory had been married 49 years the day he died. The funeral was attended on Monday from his late home in Taunton district, Rev James Taylor officiating. The bearers were J.B. Fairchild, S.S. Scudder, George Crane and F.A. Young. The interment was in the Elmwood cemetery in Bethel.

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J.A. James of Hawleyville has a very promising thoroughbred two-year-old colt which is broken and handles well, showing an extra good gait for the age.

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Mrs Addie Nichols is having a large cistern dug at her house, which when finished will be equipped with a filter and pipes to carry the water into the house.

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In the division, last fall, of the estate of the late Rebecca Lake of Hawleyville, Mrs J.N. Lake of Bridgeport was given the house and barn and her children the land. Mrs Lake thinks land in Lake George district must be valuable as they did not even give her a garden with the house.

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Hermon Peck has a new Columbia bicycle. He informs his friends that it is the hardest colt he ever broke.

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Miss Mabel Morris is the happy owner of a new bicycle.

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The honor of capturing the prize trout must be awarded to Carl Kelly. It was a beauty and tipped the scales to the tune of 21 1-2 ounces.

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William H. Glover drives a new horse, purchased of Charles Couch of New Milford.

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Mrs James Pratt has visited at Snake Rock farm, Miss E.J. Burritt returning with her to Brooklyn.

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Mr and Mrs Frederick Hartmann and little daughter of Rochelle Park, N.J., spent the latter part of last week and Sunday with Thomas Murphy on West street.

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.