May 21, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Janis Solheim.

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Emergency service workers converged in Dodgingtown midday Tuesday after a man who was driving a pickup truck around a steep curve on Dodgingtown Road lost control of the vehicle and rolled it over, becoming trapped upside down in the truck. Police said a 45-year-old Bethel man was driving a 1988 Toyota pickup truck westbound on Dodgingtown Road about 11:40 am when he failed to negotiate a sharp right curve in the road, went out of control and flipped over, coming to rest pointed eastbound on the westbound road shoulder. The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported the driver to Danbury Hospital where he was treated for injuries and released. … Dodgingtown, Newtown Hook and Ladder, and Hawleyville firefighters went to the scene to work on the extrication. The driver was trapped upside down in a crouched position in the driver’s seat of the truck with his seat belt attached.

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Curtis Packaging Corporation has submitted plans to the town for an industrial subdivision adjacent to its Toddy Hill Road factory. Known as Curtis Industrial Park, the proposal seeks to create 10 industrial lots on almost 50 acres generally east of the factory. About 10 acres of the property, including Curtis Pond, would be designated as open space. The development site, which is a former gravel mine, is in the town’s Aquifer Protection District. The development would be served by septic systems.

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The local man known as the “nocturnal intruder,” who is awaiting sentencing for a series of late night Riverside burglaries with child victims during the past two summers, was being held this week in a state prison in Suffield. A 29-year-old male Alpine Drive resident was being held at the Walker Reception and Special Management Unit, according to a State Department of Correction spokeswoman. The man had been out on a $50,000 bond until May 12, when Danbury Superior Court Judge Patrick Carroll raised the bond in the sexual assault case by an additional $300,000, a cash amount the male was unable to post, resulting in his incarceration.

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Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN) held its annual luncheon and auction at My Place Restaurant on Monday. Among the officers and directors attending were Ingrid Meier, director; Donna Safee, president; Marilyn Maher, corresponding secretary; and Barbara Reed, recording secretary. Officers also include Wesley Evans, treasurer; Lisa Walsh, vice president; and Louise Hanlon and Rigi Evans, directors. SNAN provides spay and neuter assistance for dogs and cats in Newtown and surrounding towns. New members are welcome.

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Members of the Fifth Connecticut Regiment presented a Revolutionary War re-enactment May 18 at the Middle School. The regiment set up camp in the field behind the school to re-create life during the Revolutionary War. Students were able to experience what everyday life during wartime in the 18th Century was like. The program included displays of 18th Century clothing and demonstrations of white smithing, which is the creation of silver spoons, buttons and musket balls from silver, pewter or lead, and surgical techniques. The re-enactment concluded with a muster of soldiers, complete with firing of muskets. The group does about one re-enactment a year at a school and takes part in weekend Revolutionary War encampments around the state.

May 17, 1974

Almost 300 people were on hand last Saturday evening for the annual dinner-dance sponsored by the Newtown Fish and Game Club at the KofC Hall. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a plaque to Fred Scholz, retiring president who has served in the top capacity for 23 years. Mr Scholz was also made the first honorary life member of the club. The award was made by David French, club president. Officials from the state and town were present at the dinner and arrangements for the event were under the direction of Richard Williams.

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A group of angry residents of “the stepchild of Newtown” have registered a volley of complaints that the Town’s government is not interested in helping them make their area a decent place to life. The people, residents of a section of Pootatuck Park, a private development in Sandy Hook, say they have been complaining about a host of problems for years, but have been met with a run-around from those they have seen at the Town Hall. … An incident occurred in one of the homes last week that was, according to one resident, the last straw. An eight-year-old boy was home from school on Friday, May 10, with an eye infection. His father was at work and his mother, ironically, was at the Town Hall seeking help for some of the problems of the area. When the boy’s father called from work to check on his son in the afternoon, the boy told him that a shot had been fired through the front window of the home. The man called the Newtown Police and hurried home from work, understandably angry. This is not the first time guns have been a problem, according to residents of the neighborhood. As a matter of fact, it’s a recurring problem. … According to the police report, an investigation of the shattered window “revealed that a juvenile who lived in the area of the victim’s home was responsible.” The youth has been referred to juvenile court on charges of “reckless endangerment, second degree,” and the police report that the on-going investigation, which Detective Harry Norian is participating in, “might result in another arrest at a later date.”

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Clifford, Greene, Jerome Jackson and Paul Smith were re-elected as trustees of the Newtown Historical Society at the annual meeting on Monday, May 13, in the conference room of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. The names were presented by Mrs Hermon Parker, chairman of the nominating committee. It was unanimously voted to admit persons under 18 years of age. … Restoration of the Matthew Curtiss House has been completed. Mrs Philip Nute, chairman of the house committee, is in charge of readying the house for the Folk Art Exhibition and Open House which will be held on June 21 to 23. Arrangements for the Folk Art Exhibition are under the direction of Scudder Smith, project chairman.

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The Board of Education will be going to the Board of Finance to ask that it approve a special appropriation in the amount of $198,000 for the purchase and installation of 15 portable classrooms to be located at the elementary schools beginning the coming school year. Included in the total amount would be funds to relocate two portables now at Sandy Hook School, the installation of three lavatory facilities, and the cost of renting a van to move 5th grade furniture and equipment from the Middle School.

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Almost surprisingly, Newtown’s annual battle of the budget — and bomb scare — came to a swift end Wednesday night as resident voters and taxpayers approved both parts of the town’s $9,200,571.70 budget for fiscal 1974-75. The total numbers of voters cast at Edmond Town Hall was 2,509, including 30 non-resident taxpayers, out of a resident electorate of 8,211 which means 30 per cent of Newtown’s voters participated in the referendum, petitioned for last week by the Newtown Taxpayers Group. … Relief was apparent on the faces of all town officials at the outcome, which was the first time the voters have approved the budget by a referendum in three years.

May 13, 1949

The special town meeting, held last Thursday evening in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall, was attended by less than 75 voters and taxpayers. Action was taken upon two items: (1) The sale and use of fireworks; (2) Arrangement for the expenditure of funds available from the State for the improvement of roads in Newtown. Judge Paul V. Cavanaugh was named chairman and presided over the meeting.

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The Newtown Bee, leaders of the Pomperaug Valley League last year, started out on what promises to be another big season, by taking their first victory from Oxford on Taylor Field Sunday afternoon, with a score of 8-3. … The pitching of Joe Cavanaugh and Burr Morgan and [no first name given] Kearns’ catching combined to give the local boys their first game, where [no first name] Richowski went all the way for Oxford on the mound, with [no first name] Lineweber as his receiver. Burr Morgan and Jack Watkins had the “big bats” for the locals, getting three for five.

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The Newtown Parent-Teacher Association paid tribute to the members of the girls’ basketball team of Hawley School at a dinner held in the recreation rooms of Trinity church on Saturday, May 7th. More than 75 persons were present to honor the champions who recently won the Housatonic Valley Schoolmen’s League for the third time in five years. Highlighting the evening was the presentation of awards to the team in appreciation of the splendid work accomplished by them this year.

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Knight’s Dream, a tri-color collie owned and shown by Benjamin Hoyt of Bethel was awarded the winner’s rosette and silver trophy as the best dog entered in last Thursday evening’s Plan A match show of the Newtown Kennel Club in Edmond Town Hall gymnasium. The collie was picked by Judge Percy Roberts of Noroton Heights. Mr Hoyt’s dog, after being selected best working dog, competed with other group winners for the top prize.

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The benefit movie, “The Great Waltz,” held in the Edmond Town Hall on last Thursday evening, May 5th, was very well received as evidenced by the attendance of a great many persons from Newtown and outlying districts. Sponsored by the Trinity Choir Guild, the movie was based on the life of Johann Strauss. The large sum of money which was realized will be added to the choir music fund for the purpose of purchasing a piano. Donald Griscom, choir director, has extended his thanks to those who were responsible for any way for the success of the affair.

May 9, 1924

The annual borough election took place on Tuesday morning. Twenty-five votes were cast. The business meeting took place at 10.45 o’clock, with Hobart H. Curtis as moderator. The report of the treasurer, R.P. Shepard, showed receipts of $3,204.96, and expenditures of $2,085.70, and a balance in the Savings Bank of $1119.26. The report of the tax collector, Patrick H. Gannon, was received and he was instructed to proceed to collect all delinquent taxes. A tax of two and one-half mills was laid, which is a reduction of a half-mill on rate laid the past few years. The ticket elected was as follows: Warden, Arthur T. Nettleton. Clerk, Charles F. Beardsley. Senior Burgess, H. Carlton Hubbell. Burgesses: George M. Stuart, John J. Northrop, Clark S. Blackman, William A. Honan, Allison P. Smith. Treasurer, Rodney P. Shepard. Bailiff, Patrick H. Gannon. Street Inspectors: Frederick J. Crouch, Michael F. Crowe, S. Curtis Glover. Fire Inspectors: Patrick H. Gannon, George M. Stuart, John A. Carlson. Haywards: Arthur J. Smith, John C. Beers, George E. Hayes, Edward L. Kingman. Pound Keeper, Thomas Carlson. Assessors: Levi C. Morris, Patrick H. McCarthy. Board of Relief: Frank Wright, George E. Hayes. Registrar of Voters, Charles F. Beardsley. Tax Collector, Patrick H. Gannon.

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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NOTES — RED AND BLUE CONTEST: Beginning with 100 points for each side, the Sunday school commenced a Red and Blue attendance contest last Sunday. Miss Lillian Phillips is captain of the Reds and Donald Mead, captain of the Blues. Don’t be a slacker, come and boost for your side. The losers will entertain the winners early in July.

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The residence occupied by C.L. Jackson was discovered to be on fire, Tuesday afternoon. W.P. Upham, noticing the blaze on the roof, gave the alarm. Mr Upham brought over some extinguishers from the Upham factory, and after a lively fight, put out the blaze. Quite a good sized hole was burned in the roof.

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Agents L.E. Barlow, Henry Guischud and C.H. Johnson of the State Humane Society have been busy for some time investigating conditions on a farm in Huntingtown district.

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Senator Phil T. Platt, Representatives Morros and Curtis, and Selectman Northrop appeared before the State Board of Equalization, Tuesday, in Hartford, in protest over the big raise given Newtown. As Newtown recently raised the grand levy, and as the percentage here is fairly high, the Board decided not to put in force the raise on Newtown, this year.

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At a communication of Hiram lodge, NO. 18, F.&A.M., Wednesday night, the F.C. degree was conferred.

May 19, 1899

It would not seem in this land of steady habits that it was necessary for one to watch one’s property all the time but William Ruffles of Mt Pleasant begins to think it is. About April 1 he had a fine calf stolen and three weeks ago they came again and took 12 of his fine chickens. Mr Ruffles warns anyone from prowling around his place as he will not answer for the consequences.

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William Ruffles is about to build him a fine new barn. It is to be 60x30 with 16-foot posts. When completed it will be one of the best in this locality. George Stuart has the contract.

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John L. Hughes of Taunton district has been confined to his bed for five weeks with rheumatism.

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Following are the new officers and committees of the Christian Endeavor society of the Congregational church: President, Mrs Mabel E. Morris; vice-president, A.P. Smith; recording secretary, Miss Julia B. Duncombe; corresponding secretary, Miss Mabel E. Morris; treasurer, Miss Mabel L. Taylor; pianist, Miss Mabel L. Taylor; look out committee, Henry M. Smith, chairman, Ms Otis W. Barker, Miss Flora E. Lovell, Miss Emma M. Wilson; prayer meeting committee, Rev Otis W. Barker; chairman, Anna Hamburger, Miss Kate B. Reynolds, Miss Elsie M. Moore; Sunday school committee, George R. Wilson, chairman, Mrs A.P. Smith, Oscar Carlson; social committee, Miss Effie L. Wolcott, chairman, Miss Minnie Thicket, Miss Jessie M. Taylor, Miss Julia B. Duncombe; helping hand committee, Mrs Henry M. Smith, chairman, Mrs George F. Duncombe, Miss Emily J. Lovell, John J. Northrop, Mrs C.B. Taylor.

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.