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Swamp Road will remain Swamp Road, the Board of Selectmen decided May 9. Opponents to the name change cited the cost and inconvenience of such a move; they pointed out that they liked the name, which they said reflected the history and nature of the road. Not believing that Swamp Road is a complimentary name for the road, Robert Hammond had petitioned for a new name.

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The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Department has implemented new safety procedures this year. To keep track of which firefighters have entered a burning building, the department has given each member a nameplate. Before entering a fire scene, each firefighter unclasps a hook on his coat and hands it to an officer or leaves it in a predetermined place if no officer has arrived yet.

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The old Boy Scout cabin on Castle Hill Road was, according to Newtown Hook and Ladder Asst Chief Dave Butz, “totaled” in a fire last Saturday, May 5. In what Mr Butz said fire marshals termed “arson,” the building was beyond repair and will most likely be demolished. The building was originally used by Webelos and was also used in recent years by scouts from Stratford. The new Cullens Memorial has replaced the old building for Newtown Scout use.

 

May 15, 1959

The Edmond Town Hall is featured on the cover of the new green and white telephone directory being issued this week by the Southern New England Telephone Company. Containing an all-time high of more than 26,000 listings, the new directory has numbers of telephone customers in the Danbury, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, and Georgetown exchanges.

First Selectman Edward J. Coleman, chairman of the Newtown park commission, has announced that park stickers are now on sale at his office in the town hall. The price has been reduced to $2. Visitors to the park will note many improvements in landscaping and equipment which have taken place during the past year.

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It has been announced that there will be a beauty contest held at the Firemen’s Carnival on Tuesday, July 7. The committee announces that the ages for contestants will be from 14 to 18 and that the required costume will be Bermuda shorts and blouses.

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Miss Nancy Maye, a senior at Newtown High School, will crown the Blessed Virgin’s stature on the lawn of St Rose Church following the 11 o’clock Mass this Sunday, May 17. Peggy Kennedy and Ann Beth McGlinchy will serve as attendants. Kathleen Dunne will be crown bearer and Brian McMahon and Kenneth Casey will be the pages.

 

May 11, 1934

There was a small forest fire, Sunday afternoon, in some woods west of the Pines Inn. About two acres were burned over. The Newtown Hook and Ladder Company, with fire truck and F.J. Crouch, district forest fire warden and helpers put out the fire.

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This Friday, May 11, the “Street Fair” opens in full swing at the Edmond Town hall. From 7:30 to 8:30 visit the American Indians with Chief William Holcomb in war paint and feathers, Africa with Miss Marjorie Peale and group in charge. Mrs Marie Leonard, assisted by her church school class, will show you how Turkish maidens make and sell coffee and candy. Don’t fail to stop in China. India will be represented by Mrs Irving Washburn.

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With the rain pouring in torrents about the time the concert was to begin, an audience which must have numbered 350 people assembled in the Edmond Town hall, last Thursday evening, for the first public concert of the Newtown Orchestral Society. The starting of the orchestra was the happy thought of Rev Paul A. Cullens, who brought together some 20 or more diffident musicians and through months of training and rehearsal had worked them into an orchestra whose efforts would charm an audience.

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Country Club Notes: The task of laying pipe about the golf course to water the greens was well started by a few of the club’s members, who volunteered for service, last Sunday. More members have been stringing the pipe, evenings throughout the week, and to bring the task near to completion as many members as can possibly do so are asked to report at the Clubhouse, Sunday morning, for a round or two with a pipe wrench, instead of the customary bag of woods and irons.

 

May 14, 1909

Enthusiastic efforts are being made to raise funds necessary to build a chapel for Sunday school and other religious purposes for the district of Dodgingtown and Elmwood. Contributions, however small, would be most gratefully received if sent to L.E. Olmstead, Bethel, Conn., treasurer.

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The lovers of the circus will rejoice at the coming of the Al F. Wheeler shows which will appear in Newtown, on Monday afternoon and evening, May 17. This exhibition is larger and better than ever this year, with a number of new and spectacular features which enable it to live up to its wide reputation as the best one ring circus on the road.

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A.F. Clark has shown his public spirit by having a gas street lamp placed on the post of his front veranda. George R. Wilson has had the shed east of his house torn down and has had the lawn east of this house nicely graded, which is a great improvement to his place.

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Last Tuesday afternoon, about 4 o’clock, the home of Mr and Mrs Arnold Geissman, Jr, west of Dodgingtown, burned to the ground. Mr and Mrs Geissman were out driving and their son started a brisk fire in the kitchen stove and it is thought sparks from the chimney set fire to the roof. It was not discovered until it had gained great headway. It was rather a sad home-coming for Mr and Mrs Geissman to find their home in ashes.