April 30, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Nancy Taylor.

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A draft environmental assessment of the 185-acre core campus at Fairfield Hills finds there are 27 potential areas of environmental concern on the site, which is for sale by the state. Maguire Group Inc, the New Britain consulting firm which prepared the environmental report for the state Department of Public Works (DPW), assigns “moderate” environmental concern to soil and groundwater on the site. “However, the buildings are assigned a high rating for encountering environmental concerns, due to the suspicion of numerous materials containing asbestos and possibly lead,” according to the report. Maguire recommends that the state further study the site to verify the presence or absence of environmentally harmful substances within the buildings and surrounding areas.

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Newtown’s voters stayed away from the polls for the most part Tuesday, but those who did show up approved the proposed $62.1 million municipal budget for 1999-2000. Of the 1,305 who voted, 767 voted in favor of the package, while 538 voted against it. The Yes/No question on the ballot offered no indication as to why people voted against the spending plan. The 10.4% voter turnout was up from 8.8% a year ago. There are 12,564 registered voters in Newtown.

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On a hilarious train ride from Chicago to New York, a host of colorful passengers including an extravagant theatre producer and a tempestuous star tap dance their way from one outrageous situation to another. One of those characters is Letitia Peabody Primrose, played by the Newtown actor Jan Neuberger. The train ride in question is onboard the famed New York Central Railroad car “The Twentieth Century Express,” and the story of the train’s passengers is the ploy for the Tony Award-winning play On The Twentieth Century. The musical comedy is the 1999 season opener at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, which continues until July 3. Neuberger, the Newtown actor in one of the six principal roles of the Goodspeed production, made her Broadway debut in 1978.

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The Book Review, an independent book store in Sand Hill Plaza, was turned into a temporary home for the Magic School Bus last weekend. The creators of the immensely popular children’s book series visited the store Saturday afternoon to celebrate the release of the 11th Magic School Bus book, The Magic School Bus Explores the Senses. Series author Joanna Cole and series illustrator Bruce Degen, both residents of Newtown, met with fans of all ages for a few hours on April 24.

April 26, 1974

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — NO PLACE FOR A MALL: There must be a better reason than “we think Newtown needs and will support a shopping center” on the part of the developers who are all so anxious to plan a complex in town. In the past, and even now, hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission have not brought out any information concerning an actual study and potential buyers’ market to back the applicant’s request to give his best for Newtown and provide additional stores. … This Friday evening in the Edmond Town Hall Gymnasium, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear still another request, this time to make way for a shopping mall on South Main Street. The plans call for a banking facility, a small department store, a food store, a restaurant, and various other concerns, mostly specialty shops. Above and beyond a potential market for more shopping in Newtown, first consideration must be given to the traffic conditions. Based on information gathered from area residents, the police reports and daily observations, the only conclusion which can be reached is that the road is heavily traveled and very dangerous. Just last week a man was killed within sight of the proposed area for the mall on a stretch of highway that has almost fifty roads and driveways, both public and private, leading from it in less than two miles. We already have one shopping center in the exact location now under consideration. This grouping of stores has seen businesses come and go, in addition to being the site of many accidents due to the constant stopping and turning. Almost hourly a fresh skid mark is left on the road and we do not need twice as many through the creation of another center. … It is our hope that the proposed center will not meet with approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission for when Route 25 is concerned, the future of the road itself must be determined before any major congestion is added to an already crowded highway.

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Newtown’s Antique Auto Club Spring Dust-Off and Progressive Restoration Tour started from the Cyrenius H. Booth Library on Sunday, April 21. The tour included visits to various members’ homes to view automobile restorations in progress. The first stop was at Chris MacKenzie’s home where a 1931 Model A Ford Victoria as well as a 1929 DeSoto Roadster find themselves in capable hands for complete refurbishing. The next stop was to see Jack Hanna’s 1936 Pierce-Arrow Limousine … The final stop was at the home of Richard Hipp where an ever-popular 1931 Model A Ford Rumbleseat Coupe is being given a new lease on life.

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Newtown High’s girls track team won a meet on Tuesday with a score of 95.5, over New Milford, 44; Weston, 31.5; Mason, 23; and Central Catholic, 11. Among the event highlights, Joan DaSilva tied the school record for the high jump and took first in the meet for the high jump.

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The auditorium in the Middle School seats 500, and nearly all of those seats were taken by Newtown residents, teachers and school administrators who came to a public forum called for by the Board of Education Monday, April 22, in order to get citizen input and ideas regarding the solution of space problems in the school system. The main part of the discussion centered around the school with the worst crowding, the Middle School, and what to do about it. Although opinions were varied as to a solution, the consensus of the evening was that most of those attending the meeting did not seem to feel double sessions in the Middle School would solve any problems.

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The Board of Fire Commissioners on Tuesday, April 24, received word from Controller Thelma Mathison of budget cuts in the fire department’s requests for fiscal 1974-75. Total cuts for the department amounted to $28,300, and included in that total is the $20,000 requested for the new aerial ladder truck, which, if purchased, would have been under the five-year capital improvement plan at a cost of $123,000.

April 22, 1949

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND WELL DESERVED BEST WISHES: Because April 28th marks a milestone in the existence of a local organization, The Bee takes this opportunity, in advance to the actual date, to wish it many happy returns of the day. More than that—we wish to congratulate the two people responsible for its start, and also responsible for its unusual success. We refer to the Social and Athletic Club, and to Mr and Mrs Wilton Lackaye. It was on April 28, 1946, that seven boys gathered at the Lackaye home in Sandy Hook for the club’s first meeting. Officers were elected on May 9th, with Jack Watkins as the first president. Arrangements were made to meet in Glover Hall, now the Sandy Hook fire house, where the club continues to gather regularly each week. But today there are seventy active members, instead of seven, with twenty-five sustaining (adult) members and fifteen participating members who act as coaches, referees, and help the boys in other ways.

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The death of William Abel Upham, which occurred early Tuesday morning at the New Haven Hospital, removed one of Newtown’s prominent and popular citizens. In January Mr Upham suffered a stroke and was a patient for nearly a month at the Danbury hospital. His health improved after his return home, but he was forced to enter the New Haven hospital on April 11th, his death following a week later. Funeral services are being held this Friday morning at 11:30 o’clock at Harvard, Illinois, where burial will take place. A memorial service will also be held in Newtown on Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Newtown Congregational church, conducted by the pastor, Rev Paul A. Cullens. This will afford townspeople an opportunity to pay tribute to an old friend, but it is requested that flowers be omitted. … Mr Upham came to New York in 1900 and entered into partnership in the Upham Miller Company in 1904 for the packaging of food products. His own firm Upham Food Products, Inc, was started in 1909 in New York City and the business was moved to Hawleyville by Mr Upham in 1916, where it has since continued in operation. Peanut butter was one of the firm’s large items for packaging, but because peanut oil was needed for other uses other than home consumption during World War I, Mr Upham looked for a new item to take its place, deciding upon tea. He first packed loose tea in packages for Thomas J. Lipton.

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Following the announcement on page 1 of last week’s issue of The Bee that the sale of Easter Seals in Newtown is $400 short of its goal, H.C. Honegger, one of Newtown’s most prominent and philanthropic citizens, called at The Bee office Saturday morning, offering to donate two-thirds of the needed $400 if the townspeople contributed the other one-third of the sum. Mr Honegger took the opportunity to comment on last week’s article in The Bee, in which Dr Waldo F. Desmond was quoted as urging generous support for the work of the Connecticut Society for Crippled Children and Adults among persons afflicted with cerebral palsy. He expressed the hope that Dr Desmond’s call for financial support would not go unheard, and so he had made his generous offer, the terms of which The Bee is sure local townspeople will be glad to accept. Donations should be sent to Mrs George M. Stuart, local chairman, and promptness will be appreciated.

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On Wednesday evening the first anniversary of the founding of the Newtown Cub Pack 70 was observed by a dinner in the Trinity church rooms. In addition to their first birthday, the Cubs, under the leadership of Donald R. McCain, Cubmaster, were celebrating the fact that in one year’s time their enrollment had increased from an original 13 boys to the 40 who were present at the dinner. Among the 141 people who attended, were parents, Scouting officials from Pomperaug Council, and local Scout leaders and sponsors.

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On Monday morning, April 18th, the Charles Howard Peck Sr and Jr Post, 308, Ladies Auxiliary, VFW, presented 24 flags to Hawley School. The auditorium received two flags and the class rooms one each. The presentation of the flags was made by Madeline Detlefs, patriotic instructor, and Myrtle Smith, past president.

April 18, 1924

Mr and Mrs John J. Northrop and family passed Sunday in Easton, guests of Mr and Mrs J. Arthur Sherwood.

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Miss Esther Coger of the Bridgeport Hospital Training School for Nurses, passed the week end at her home in town.

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Mr and Mrs Robert T. Bradley and son were Sunday guests at the home of Thomas F. Bradley.

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The annual meeting of the Men’s club was held at the Parker House, Tuesday night. The officers elected for the year were: President, Charles T. Cole; vice-president, John C. Beers; secretary-treasurer, H.N. Tiemann. After attention was paid to an excellent dinner served by Mine Host Parker, a general discussion on local affairs followed.

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Edward Mullins, a skillful golfer, will take up his abode at the Club House of the Newtown Country Club on May 1, beginning his engagement as Club Professional. Mr Mullins will give golf lessons and carry a full line of golf balls and sticks.

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A fire, which probably started by sparks from an engine, burned over a tract of about 20 acres of land south of the Tunnel on Monday about noon. There was a high wind prevailing.

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Mrs Charles W. Dayton has returned to her home on Dayton street, Sandy Hook, after spending the winter in Bethel with her son, J.W. Dayton.

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Mr and Mrs Arthur Ferris of Bridgeport were Sunday guests of Mrs Bertha Ferris.

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John Murphy is driving a new Chevrolet touring car, bought of Carlson Brothers, the enterprising local agents.

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Allison P. Smith was the guest at dinner, Wednesday evening, of Selectman Thomas F. Brew.

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Selectman Thomas F. Brew is shingling over the exterior of the residence of Miss McCarton.

April 28, 1899

Mr Editor: The title and thought, especially the thought, of Rev Mr Wright’s sermon on Easter Sunday in St John’s church, as reported in The Bee, impresses me as being unique. I am quite sure I am expressing the wish of a large number of your readers, when I ask you to secure it for publication in The Bee at your earliest convenience.—[H.J.W.

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At the urgent request of the editor, the above correspondent and others, Rev Mr Wright kindly furnished the manuscript to The Bee. It appears in this week’s issue.

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William N. Northrop arrived in town, Tuesday, with two loads of stock cattle.

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The dance at the Town hall, last week Friday night, under the auspices of the Grange, was very enjoyable, and was attended by a large number.

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Michael McNamara of the Glen has been confined to the house for a week with rheumatism.

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W.H. Ingram of Bennett’s Bridge has some fence posts he has been getting out this winter, which are for sale.

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John F. Murray of North Center district has moved, with his mother and sisters, to Danbury, where he has secured a position. Mr Murray’s place will be occupied by George Drew, who has already taken possession.

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Any one having a complete file of The Bee for 1898 are asked to communicate with Box 7, Newtown, stating price desired.

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.