May 6, 1988

More than 1,700 vehicles — a record number — were driven into the landfill on Saturday, April 30, the final day when people could take advantage of something that, until recently, they always took for granted in Newtown — free dumping of junk such as tires, appliances, and bulky waste. The new fee system which took effect Monday, May 2, will not change the fact that residents holding permits still can dump household trash at no cost.

 

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More evidence was introduced at the Richard Crafts’ murder trial this week, including a one-inch fingertip, a bone fragment retrieved from the U-Haul van, and fibers taken from the chainsaw found at the bottom of Lake Zoar. State’s Attorney Walter Flanagan presented the evidence to the jury in the trial of Newtown pilot Mr Crafts, who the state is trying to prove killed his wife and disposed of her body using a chainsaw and woodchipper in November 1986.

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The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company will host a muster to help celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, on Sunday, May 15, at 11 am, rain or shine. A muster is comprised of competitive events in which opposing fire company teams compete in events which simulate actual fireground operations.

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Ernestine Fontenot, mother of missing flight attendant Regina Brown of Newtown, says that while she is pleased with the April 22 Danbury Superior Court decision awarding her and her husband custody of their three grandchildren, she still wishes to know what became of her daughter. Regina Brown has not been seen or heard from since March 26, 1987, when she put her three children on an airplane at La Guardia Airport to visit Mrs Brown’s parents in Liberty, Texas. On April 6, Mrs Brown’s brown Honda was found parked on a New York City street, with the keys in the ignition. Sgt Own Carney said that the Newtown police have no evidence to indicate one way or the other whether Mrs Brown is dead or alive.

May 10, 1963

The bed of tulips on the west side of the Connecticut National Bank building in the Shopping Center is very colorful. Townspeople who have been enjoying this display of spring bloom should know that credit belongs to Charlie Hull, member of the bank staff, and his green thumb.

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Even the weather worked with Newtown’s AFS chapter to make last Saturday’s International Night 1963 an outstanding success from every point of view. The dinner, in honor of Newtown’s exchange student, Tadahito Kawai, and his host family, Mr and Mrs Robert E. Munger, took place on the evening of Japan’s traditional Boys Festival, “Shobu-no-sek-ku.” Sally Ann Carey, chairman of the AFS Student Commission, paid a most moving tribute to “Tad,” not only from his Newtown classmates, but also, through a recording in Japanese, from his classmates and presented the evening’s guest of honor with his senior class ring of Newtown High School.

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The Newtown Indians won a substantial 19-2 victory over Bethany last Sunday in the opening games of the Pomperaug League. A pair of three-run homers by John Gervasoni accounted for two of the 16 hits by Jack Rosenthal’s team.

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The field is expected to be ready and “play ball” will be sounded at the Italian Community Center, Saturday morning, at 10 am, when the Little League opens it 1963 season. Appropriate ceremonies, complete with a color guard of Boy Scouts and the throwing out of the first ball of the season, will precede the game.

 

May 6, 1938

Louis Lorenzo opened his Riverside Grill on Lake Zoar located at the end of the Sandy Hook Curtis Hill state road, this week. Mr Lorenzo has made numerous improvements on his place and his ideal location near Lake Zoar adds to its attractiveness. Beer and refreshments will be served and dancing may be enjoyed at the grill at any time.

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The Dodgingtown firemen responded Monday afternoon to a call to extinguish a grass fire in Hopewell district. The same area broke into blaze again in the early evening, when the firemen responded once more, along with Redding firemen and the State Forest department truck. Because of the busy day the Dodgingtown Fire company held no business meeting Monday evening.

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At a meeting of the newly elected officers of the Borough of Newtown, held Wednesday evening in the Selectmen’s room at the Edmond Town Hall, a motion was carried which will cause the street lights of the Borough to be burned from sundown to sun-up. Previous to the passing of the motion, the lights have been turned off at 2:30 in the morning. This extension of service, arranged with the Danbury & Bethel Gas & Electric Light Company, will be much appreciated, not only by residents of the borough but others passing through town at a late hour.

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The “Welcome” sign of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, located at Toll Gate hill, which blew down some time ago, was repaired and replaced, the first part of this week, by William M. McKenzie, assisted by Arthur Judd Smith and John Ray.

 

May 9, 1913

Leonard Wright and George Canfield have purchased the spraying outfit of L.M. Johnson and under his supervision are spraying the orchards and fruit trees about town. These boys have had two years of agriculture at the High school and will finish the course this June.

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Gussie Brenner, Margaret White, Helen Northrop, Paul Smith, Robert Tiemann, Donald Wright and Clarence Mitchell received beautiful silk flags as a prize offered by Mrs Aimes for perfect recitation of the preamble of the Constitution. These children are seventh grade scholars of the North Center school.

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A concert will be given by members of the Sandy Hook band on Friday evening, May 9, at the Town hall. Tickets are now on sale at Taylor, Curtis & Co’s and R.H. Beers & Co’s. The band has made marvelous progress under the direction of Arthur Beard and the band will be assisted by H.G. Warner, violins, and Mr Thrall, comedian.

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John H. Blackman was taken ill on his peddling wagon, last week Thursday, and came home in a dazed condition. Friday morning he was taken with a shock of apoplexy and for a few days was in quite a serious condition. Mr Black is now more comfortable and is making progress toward recovery. Mr Blackman had a serious illness six years ago, but recovered and has been in active business at the former Augur market.