Had there been a contest on Wednesday evening to determine the popular spot in town, without question, the Coal Miner’s Daughter would have won. This movie far out-polled the 225 voters who showed up at the high school auditorium to have another say on the budget question. It might just go to prove that it is easier and more pleasant to spend one dollar for a movie than to vote for a $14 million plus budget for the Town of Newtown.

***

Newtown’s’ awkwardly but unofficially named day-care-multi-purpose center has stood with its modernistic architecture on Riverside Road since it opened in February 1979, and the Commission on Aging members think it’s about time somebody decides on a real name. The building houses the town’s day-care center, The Children’s Adventure Center, as well as the Senior Citizen’s Center.

***

Residents of the Nunnawauk Road and Mile Hill South Road once more have a problem with large sand and gravel trucks traversing those residential streets to and from I-84 exit 11. Area residents had complained last fall…contending safety problems were caused by the speed the trucks are driven on the narrow residential streets, and about the lack of cover over the loads. A solution was found when Fairfield Hills Hospital agreed to allow trucks to go through hospital grounds to Route 25. Lt Robert Taylor, security chief at the state hospital informed First Selectman Jack Rosenthal recently that the gravel haulers could no longer use the hospital streets. Since the start of June the trucks have been back on the residential streets.

***

Eighteen families say the value of their property and enjoyment of their homes are being seriously impaired by large amounts of sand and dust blowing off the Newtown Sand And Gravel mining site on Turkey Hill Road, and demanded that the Planning and Zoning Commission do something about it. Robert Nichols, Sugarloaf Road, served as spokesman for area families, noting, “This isn’t a little dust problem, it’s horrendous” The sand and dust, he said, “comes down like snow.”

***

The Labor Day Parade and the annual Block Party are two of the events which enliven Newtown’s summers and are supported by the voluntary contributions to the Newtown Summer Festival, Inc, which will be calling residents in a fund-raising Telethon next week.

***

Charles Kilson, a custodian at Newtown High School was injured recently while removing broken glass from the basement of the school. According to Dr Albert Brinkman, superintendent of schools, “Mr Kilson somehow slipped and as the glass fell forward he tried to step back from it but sustained a graze to the leg.” Mr Kilson is currently recuperating at home.

***

The first selectman’s office is still accepting applications for Newtown’s new recreation director to replace Lee Davenson, who left his post at the end of May. Until someone is hired, however, Barbara Kasbarian has been named acting director.

June 17, 1955

The Committee for the 250th Anniversary Celebration met Tuesday evening in Edmond Town Hall, when plans for the August 6 observance of the town’s founding were accelerated, according to Col James A. Tobey, chairman. Among other projects undertaken by the group, announcement was made of the official honorary “Committee of One Hundred,” comprised of town and borough officials, heads of civic organizations, the clergy, representative members of original Newtown families and others.

***

News of the sale of the first of two tracts of land comprising some 800 acres, and known as “Hanover Shores,” with five and a half miles of lakeshore frontage on the new Lake Shepaug is reported. The tract involved in this sale consists of some 65.9 acres of virgin land with beautiful plantings and a superb view of the Housatonic Valley. “Hanover Shores” is perhaps unique in that its 800 acres cover virtually the entire Newtown side of the new lake.

***

 The very inclement weather last Thursday prevented the wild flower garden tour at the home of Mrs Herman DeVries of Obtuse Road from being as successful as it usually is. However, the brave persons that ventured forth in the driving rain were well rewarded with the beautiful display of wild flowers and plants.

***

 The Rotary Club of Newtown and The League of Women Voters of Newtown will present “The World We Live In” show, an illustrated journey behind the scenes of Life magazine’s science series June 25 at the Edmond Town Hall. This 90-minute show is narrated by David Hardy, world traveler and news analyst, and illustrated by paintings and color photographs on a panoramic 30-foot, three-panel screen, and by motion pictures in color.

***

St John’s Guild will serve its annual strawberry shortcake supper to the public June 21. Final preparations are being made by the committee in charge to handle the many people who are expected to come from near and far for this most popular of all suppers served for the benefit of St John’s Church.

***

A check for $60 was turned over to the Newtown High School Athletic Association this week by Anthony Amaral, owner of Amaral’s Service Station, representing a share of the profits of the goods sold there last Saturday, “A.A.Day.” Commenting on the bad weather, which undoubtedly kept down total sales, Mr Amaral said in his letter: “I do want to take this opportunity to commend all the girls and boys who participated in the event….”

***

The Bee regrets that the large volume of news and advertising intended for this issue has overtaxed the available space to the point that several important omissions must be made. We apologize to those who are being imposed upon, and explain that circumstances largely beyond control, rather than any discrimination on our part, have made them the victims.

June 13, 1930

 One of the most attractive refreshment stands in this section will open on Sunday, when The Maryland, under the management of W.B. Harris of Long Island will serve to the public a half a broiled chicken on toast for 50 cents. This is entirely new in this section and will undoubtedly go over big. The slogan of the place will be “Eat with your Fingers.”

***

 The kindness of William Duda, proprietor of Falls’ Filling Station, was greatly appreciated by Mrs William Wheeler when he returned to her a pocketbook laying by the roadside, containing nearly $100, picked up by him.

***

Improvements are being made in the residence of Stephen Budd including the addition of two bathrooms and the building on of a large piazza on the rear of the house. Contractor T.F. Brew has the work in charge.

***

Richard Botsford, Newtown’s native son, who is one of the high ranking Ford plane pilots, will fly the tri-motored all-metal ship of the Mohawk Airways during the three day air circus at Danbury Airport, June 20, 21 and 22. Pilot Botsford is one of that select group of fliers who has qualified as a Ford pilot. Henry Taylor of Mt Pleasant, who is manager of the Danbury airport, will direct all flying activities during the meet. Henry G. Carlson will also assist in the arrangements at the field.

***

James Egan, a highly esteemed resident of the Hawleyville section, is quite ill with a heart difficulty. A trained nurse is assisting in his care.

***

The clock in the tower of the new Edmond Town Hall began striking regularly on Wednesday. It possesses a sweet and musical tone.

June 16, 1905

S. Curtis Hawley Disappears. No Trace of His Whereabouts Has Yet Been Discovered. The disappearance of Samuel Curtis Hawley, son of Mrs Julia Hawley, on Sunday, while out for a walk with his attendant, Mr Connelly, has been the absorbing topic of conversation, this week. On Saturday Mr Hawley and Mr Connelly, his attendant, came from Dr A.J. Givens’ sanitarium at Stamford to pass a few days with his mother and sister. On Sunday,…they took a walk through the lots to get a view of the Housatonic river, and while on the hill some distance in the rear of Mr Page’s house, Curtis Hawley suddenly disappeared among the bushes. Curtis Hawley is 24 years of age, five feet, nine inches in height. He walks erect and keeps his eyes fixed on the ground.

***

Lorenzo Boyson had the misfortune last week, to catch his finger under the wheel while carting timber, cutting it off. Dr Gale dressed the finger.

***

To the inhabitants of the town of Newtown in legal town meeting convened: The inhabitants of said town living in the town street and its vicinity beg leave to represent — That, seriously alarmed at a recent event which threatened for a time to lay their dwellings in ashes, to unhouse their families, to sweep away their public buildings and produce a scene of destruction and distress awful to contemplate, and too painful to describe, they met at the house of Caleb Baldwin on the 21st of November to take into consideration their exposed and dangerous situation and to devise the best practicable means of guarding themselves in future against destruction by fire. It was further thought advisable to procure a fire engine if possible, as the best instrument (properly served) with which to contend against so unruly and dangerous an element.

***

E.R. Botsford, E.C. Northrup and C.D. Ferris captured four young foxes, last week. The young men offer the foxes for sale.

***

C.F. Conger of Botsford has recently purchased the fine three-year-old stallion, “Leader,” which will be at his stable for service for the season of 1905. The horse is jet black and is a highly bred animal.

***

The ladies of the Street and vicinity give a whist party at the Beach Memorial Library building this (Thursday) evening, June 15, at 8 o’clock. Cakes will be offered as a prize.