May 9, 1997

Newtown Board of Education Chairman Herb Rosenthal told board members Tuesday night about a proposal from Oxford Public School administrators concerning a possible transfer of 100 Oxford students into Newtown High over a four year period, from 1998 to 2001. The Oxford students would be admitted in four successive waves, beginning with the enrollment of the first group of 25 freshmen in the fall of 1998. As the students advanced alongside their Newtown peers, they would presumably graduate from Newtown High four years later, at which time no new students would be admitted.

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Several huge pine trees came crashing down onto the grounds of Dickinson Park during Tuesday afternoon’s brief, but intense thunderstorm. Fallen trees littered the Elm Drive park late this week. Workers were expected to begin disposing of the trees later this week. Trees also fell in the Head O’ Meadow/Shepard Hill Road section of town, indicating the storm took a path through that area with wind gusts estimated at 50-60 mph.

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The Fairfield County Fish and Game Club sponsored its annual junior fishing derby at the club off Walker Hill Road recently. The event attracted hundreds of children, who fished the club’s impoundments along the Halfway River for the 300 trout that were stocked for the event.

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Hundreds of pizza lovers crowded the middle school gym Monday evening for a Family Pizza Night to benefit the Family Life Center. The event offered “all you can eat” for just $5, with children under four eating free. More than $4,000 was raised, topping last year’s total. The money will be used to underwrite the cost of therapy, according to Judy Benson, FLC administrative director.

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The Town Players theatre company of Newtown has opened their 1997 season, with the introduction of When We Are Married last weekend at the Orchard Hill Road playhouse. J.R. Priestley’s classic play is a farcical comedy that tells the story of three couples who were married on the same day, who have reunited to celebrate their silver wedding anniversaries. Pandemonium breaks out when a choirmaster makes an announcement. The cast assembled to perform this enjoyable play includes Martha Bishop, Danielle F. Douchkoff, Suzanne Kinnear, Ron Malyszka, Kristi McKeever, Rob Pawlowski, Andy Rage, and Deirdre Seeley. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings, at 8:30 pm, through May 24.

May 12, 1972

Newtown taxpayers overwhelmingly turned down a total recommended budget for 1972-73, including those of the Selectmen and Board of Education, of $7,306,134.72 in an all day referendum on Wednesday, May 10. The vote showed that 2,459 were against the budget and 977 for it. Of the 7,129 eligible to vote, 3,450 showed up at the polls. According to reports, there were a number of 18-year-olds voting, and 178 property owners. Of these property owners only around 30 lived out of town, and the rest were residents.

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A record attendance was present Monday evening at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library for the annual meeting of the Newtown Historical Society. The meeting was conducted by Attorney Raymond Doyle, vice president, in the absence of Joseph Wupperfeld, president, who was away on vacation. Reports of officers showed the Society to have had an active year. The treasurer’s report, prepared by George Northrop, treasurer, and read in his absence by Attorney Doyle, listed the funds which had come to the Society from the estate of Mrs Henry Blackman and the estate of Henry Schnakenberg.

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St John’s Church has just welcomed the Rev William D. Loring as its new Vicar. Fr Loring, who has been making his home in Scituate, Mass., is working towards an advanced degree in theology, specializing in Liturgics, the study of Public Worship, and working on a half-time basis in Sandy Hook. He expects to move into the rectory this summer, and in the meantime is spending two to three days each week at the church. Fr Loring and his wife have one child, Michael.

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Mrs Barbara Dunn, Connecticut’s Commissioner of Consumer Protection, in addressing a meeting of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce last Thursday evening in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, expressed her pleasure at “coming home” to talk about her department. Many townspeople remember Mrs Dunn as Barbara Baxter, daughter of Mr and Mrs William C. Baxter, who grew up and went to school here in Newtown. She served in the State Legislature from 1967 to 1971 from East Hartford and is now filling the important post of Commissioner of Consumer Protection in state government, having been appointed by Governor Meskill.

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Paul S. Smith, editor of The Bee, will be honored at a testimonial dinner Tuesday evening, May 23. Mr Smith is being recognized by the Newtown Board of Realtors, which has designated May 23, 1972, as Paul S. Smith Day, and First Selectman Frank DeLucia has issued a proclamation to that effect. Governor Thomas Meskill has sent a letter to Timothy Loughlin, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, saying that he and Mrs Meskill will be attending the dinner. Newspaper publishers from throughout New England, civic and business leaders in town, and many personal friends of the Smiths are also expected.

May 9, 1947

An important step forward was taken on Wednesday of last week, by the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company, Inc, when Edward E. Knapp, treasurer, received from Richard T. Staples, of James Staples and Company, Bridgeport, deed to Glover Hall. The firemen were represented by Treasurer Knapp and Joseph H.A. Symonds, member since its incorporation eight years ago and legal counsel of the fire company. The conveyance was by the First National Bank and Trust Company of Vicksburg, Miss., trustee under the will of the late Lawrence Glover Warner. The trustee was represented by Huntley Stone, member of the firm of Pullman and Comley, attorneys, of Bridgeport.

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Two important town meetings were held in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall on Friday and Saturday evenings, when a request made by the Board of Selectmen for $10,000 for town road work was overwhelmingly rejected, and at the second meeting a Permanent Building committee was named for the proposed addition and alterations to Hawley School. Friday night’s meeting attracted a crowd which more than filled the Alexandria room, making it necessary for many people to stand. H.H. Cutler was named chairman. Saturday night’s meeting was called to hear and act upon the Progress Report of the Board of Education concerning the proposed addition and alterations to Hawley School, and drew an attendance of scarcely more than fifty. Judge Paul V. Cavanaugh was named chairman.

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Dr and Mrs William S. Beard returned on Friday to their home on Currituck road, after spending the winter season at Tangerine, Fla. They drove 1408 miles on the return trip coming over the Skyline Drive on their way north.

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The Arts and Crafts Club held a business meeting Wednesday night at Trinity Church Parish room at which they elected the following officers: Mrs William Cutler, president, and Mrs Albert Knapp, secretary-treasurer. A pleasant interval was spent in smocking and leather work, after which refreshments were served by the hostesses, Mrs William Cutler and Miss Katherine Kirby. New members are welcome, the only requirement being the ability to teach an art or a craft. Meetings are held every other Wednesday at Trinity Parish at 8 p.m.

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Dr Russell H. Strasburger suffered a sprained knee and ankle earlier this week when he was kicked by a cow that he was treating. His leg is in a cast and he is confined to his home, which is no pleasure for him and considerable of a handicap in his professional duties.

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Mrs A.B. Nichols of Taunton district announces the engagement of her daughter, Shirley Jeanette, to the Rev Arthur E. Berry of Georgetown, son of Mr and Mrs Frank A. Berry of Bethel. Miss Nichols is a graduate of Hawley High School and Danbury State Seniors College. At present she is a member of the staff of The Newtown Bee. Rev Mr Berry is a student minister of the Georgetown Methodist church. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and will receive his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale University on June 18. He hopes to be ordained deacon of the Methodist Church on May 18 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and at that time expects to be reappointed to the Georgetown church to assume all pastoral responsibilities. The couple plan to be married in the late summer and will make their home in Georgetown.

May 5, 1922

A beautiful tablet was unveiled on Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church to the memory of the Reverend James H. Gordon. The plaque reads: In loving memory of / James Hardin George / Born in Albany Georgia 1853 Died in Newtown 1917 / Rector of Trinity Parish / From 1902 until his death / By a life of untiring devotion / he exemplified his faith and love / which is in Christ Jesus. / “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice.” / Philippians IV 4.”

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Cards are out announcing the marriage on Saturday, April 29, of Miss Claire Marguerite Spring, of Leominster, Mass., to Frederick Wood [illegible] of Cleveland, O. Miss Spring was for two years principal of Newtown Community school and has many friends in town. Mr and Mrs [illegible] will be at home to their friends after September 1, at 3066 [illegible] Road, Shaker Heights Village, Cleveland, O.

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Representative Newton M. Curtis, the local peach king, informs the editor his peach orchards are now in full bloom and there is every indication of a bumper peach crop, barring a sudden freeze-up or some unlooked-for accident. H.H. Taylor of Mt Pleasant also says there is a prospect of a big peach crop. A late frost, he says, might get some of the early varieties as it did last year, but the present outlook he regards as bright for a big crop.

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Morris Moscovitz and Dr Jacob W. Gerger, the latter a dentist in Bridgeport, holders of the second mortgage on the Newtown Inn, have taken up the first mortgage of $11,000 held by the Newtown Savings Bank and are now sole owners of the property.

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C.S. Blackman will open a lunch room in connection with the Newtown garage and will dispense confectionery, ice cream, sandwiches, coffee, etc. This will be a convenience to the traveling public.

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Hon George S. Bryan, of Brookfield Center, the well known author and writer, was a caller at The Bee office, Tuesday.

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Miss Jane Ruffells of West Hartford was a week-end guest of her mother, Mrs Jane C. Ruffells, of Palestine.

May 14, 1897

The monthly meeting of the Fairfield County Clerical Association was held in Trinity parish on Monday, May 10. The Holy Communion was celebrated by the rector, assisted by Rev W.A. Swan of Redding Ridge. The essayist was Rev H.M. Sherman, archdeacon. A bountiful luncheon was served to the clergy by the women of Trinity parish. Seventeen clergymen were present.

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ST ROSE’S CHURCH: Father Daley of East Hartford, formerly a curate in this parish, has been a guest, this week, at the parochial residence. Father Smith preached at St Joseph’s church, Sixth avenue, New York, last Friday night, to a very large audience. The Very Rev D.P. O’Flynn is the pastor of this church. The theme of Father Smith’s discourse was “The devotion to the sacred heart.” Father Fox was at St Peter’s church, Danbury, on Sunday, when Bishop Tierney performed the rite of confirmation. Father Fox will drive to Derby on Sunday to be present at the cornerstone laying of a parochial school.

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Mrs C.H. Northrop and son, Nelson, are the guests of Mrs Northrop’s sisters in Brooklyn.

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Michael Scanlon, who is employed by L.B. Harris, was so unfortunate as to sprain an ankle, last week.

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F.J. Curnick, representing C.H. White & Co, of New York, and wife, and Oliver E. Hurd, representing E.H. Gay & Co, of Boston, made a brief sojourn in town, last week, calling on Charles H. Northrop. They were registered at the Grand Hotel.

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.